Dr. Patricia L. Pickles is a mother, an advocate for mental health and wellness, an educational czar, a humanitarian, an innovator, a trailblazer, a visionary, an author, and a speaker. Her loving and thoughtful son began demonstrating his mental health battles at the tender age of sixteen. Dr. Pickles has navigated the trenches of the mental health system for a quarter of a century.

Via NAMI of Central Texas, she was part of the team to provide training for the Austin Police Department, served on the Austin State Hospital Redesign Committee, taught research based Family to Family classes in the community, made Sharing Hope presentations in churches and other faith-based organizations.

Pickles is a former Board Member of NAMI of Central Texas. Her publication of Chronic Mental Illness: A Living Nightmare is endorsed by Texas State Senator Royce West, Avel Louise Gordly, former Oregon State Senator, Danny Davis, U.S. Senator of Illinois and Mary Giliberti, NAMI National, Executive Director. For their contributions, a thank you goes out to Adrienne Kennedy, NAMI National Board Member and to Dr. Queverra Moten, former Deputy Executive Director of NAMI of Central Texas. Pickles received the Richard E. Hopkins Torch Award for an individual who supports a family member or friend living with mental health, substance use, intellectual and developmental challenges.

Patricia L. Pickles (Ph.D.) is a lifelong educator born in Waukegan, Illinois. Her extensive professional background includes frontline experience as a teacher, assistant-principal, principal, adjunct professor, senior director for a state department of education, project coordinator for a regional office of education, chief academic officer, superintendent of schools, and educational leadership consultant. Dr. Pickles’ vision and mission has been to ensure that, “Every student, in every classroom, in every school across America will have access to high quality educational opportunities which prepare them for our global, competitive, and diverse society.”

Her proven track record of continuing education, training, and certification include:

• Ph.D. in reading and education administration, Texas Woman’s University
• M.A. in education administration, East Texas State University, Commerce
• B.A. in English Lit. and multicultural education, Barat College, Lake Forest, IL
• A.A. in Education, College of Lake County, Grayslake, IL

Post-doctoral coursework and training include:

• Fordham University, New York – Annual Summer Principal’s Leadership Institute (attendant and consultant) Provided opportunity for Portland and Pflugerville public school principals.
• Harvard University, Boston – 1 of 35 leaders selected to participate, Summer School Institute for New Public-School Superintendents. Opportunity provided before accepting the helm at North Chicago School District #187.
• Oxford University, England (UK) – 1 of 30 school superintendents selected to present on, Research & Results-Based School Improvement Practices that Work! Introduced to the educational system in the UK. The experience led to the collaborative publication, Developing the Effective Principal, Aspen Publishers.
• Stanford University, California – Team Leadership, Transformation and Effectiveness. Attended with leadership team from Portland Public Schools.
• University of Texas, Austin – Macomb’s School of Business.

Her expertise and experience in the field of education led to her status as an educational czar and her invitation to address the United States Congress.

“Just imagine what a group of like-minded individuals, with determination, focus, and compassion can do!”

www.DrPatriciaPicklesBooks.com