Patrick McGowan

Mission-driven leader with 10+ years of experience building and leading high-performing school communities. I currently serve as the founding Principal of a public charter middle school in New York City, where I’ve led the school from launch to a thriving grades 5–8 campus serving over 400 scholars.

My work sits at the intersection of strategy, people, and execution. I specialize in building systems that turn vision into measurable outcomes.

I’m motivated by work that combines purpose with impact, and I’m seeking opportunities to apply my leadership, operational rigor, and people-centered approach to organizations committed to excellence.

Founding Principal of Brilla Veritas Middle School, a public charter school in the Bronx. Led the school from launch to a fully enrolled grades 5–8 campus, growing enrollment from 78 students to over 400 in three years. Oversaw and developed a team of 50+ staff members, including assistant principals, instructional coaches, teachers, and operations personnel.

Designed and implemented the school’s instructional vision, aligning curriculum, assessments, and teacher practice across grade levels, resulting in significant gains in student achievement, including double-digit increases in ELA and Math proficiency on New York State exams. Established core systems for student support, including MTSS, restorative practices, and data-driven intervention cycles.

Built strong partnerships with families through transparent communication, parent education, and community-building initiatives. Partnered closely with operations leadership on budgeting, scheduling, safety planning, and crisis response, ensuring a well-run, mission-aligned school environment.

Bachelor's degree from the College of Wooster.