PATRICK COLGAN  310 N.

37th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104 ● 718 797 2540 

  patrickcolgan.weebly.com pcolgan@gmail.com 
SUMMARY  
I am a mechanical engineer and entrepreneur with experience building software tools for 
teachers, designing science museum exhibits, and vehicle crash testing. I seek a teaching 
position where I can share my excitement about science and math with students, guide them 
to a new understanding of the physical world, and contribute to strengthening the school 
community.   

CERTIFICATIONS Expected June 2020: Physics 7-12 and Mathematics 7-12.  

EDUCATION 
DREXEL UNIVERSITY School of Education, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 
Post-Bac Teacher Certification (2020), Philadelphia Teacher Residency Program 
 
HARVARD UNIVERSITY Kennedy School of Government, Cambridge, Massachusetts 
Master of Public Policy (1990), Concentration in Science & Technology Policy, Awarded John F. 
Kennedy Scholarship  

CORNELL UNIVERSITY Ithaca, New York 

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (1986), Awarded a full scholarship from General 
Motors  

TEACHING EXPERIENCE 
SCIENCE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY, Teacher Resident August 2019 to present 
Physics - Teaching two sections of 32 11th grade students. Experimenting in designing lessons 
based on the modeling approach to instruction where students construct their own scientific 
models to explain and predict physical phenomena. Developed three original units on force, 
energy, and momentum. 

CTE Engineering - Co-developed a full-year, project-based learning sequence based on Next 

Generation Science Standards for 12th grade CTE Engineering. Used background in software 
design and public policy to guide students in learning the science and issues surrounding 
global warming. Mentored seniors on their Capstone projects and developed a unit teaching 
students to create their own adventure games in the Python programming language.  

EDUCON 2020 - Presented Teaching Climate Change through Action to an audience of 
educators at SLA’s annual conference. Described the methodology used to develop an 
innovative approach to teaching students through action on the issue of global warming.  

DEVELOPMENTAL DESIGNS FOR HIGH SCHOOL Keene, NH August 2019 - Participated in a 

28 hour workshop on building classroom culture that leverages strong relationships and 
student-centered motivating instruction to deliver an optimal learning environment. 

CRISIS TEXT LINE March 2016 - June 2017 After 40 hours of training served as a counselor for 
young people in crisis via an innovative online text-based platform. In weekly 4-hour shifts 
supported clients by listening, guiding them away from imminent crisis, and helping them to 
identify options and resources.    
PATRICK COLGAN – PRIOR EXPERIENCE 
 
ZOCALO SOFTWARE, New York, New York, Principal/Lead Engineer, 2002 to 2019 
Founded a consulting company that built custom problem-solving software applications for 
progressive school networks, independent schools, and “good government” agencies. 
Portfolio highlights include: 

The Hotchkiss School: Comprehensive student and faculty information system with 
features including the admissions process for 5,000 applications each year, attendance, 
grades and transcripts, college counseling, financial aid, sports and activities, and class 
scheduling. The system has been the cornerstone of school operations for 14 years.  

Outward Bound Expeditionary Learning Schools: Online lesson planning and curriculum 
development tool for 2,400 teachers at 125 schools in the Outward Bound network. Design 
supports teachers and embeds project-based learning philosophy in daily practice. 

Columbia University: Disability services screening and management tool that supports the 
university’s delivery of services to students. 

CASE COMMONS, New York, New York, Product Engineer, 2011 to 2014 
Led a team of 6-9 engineers to develop and launch a web-based case management 
application to reorganize child protective service operations. The software supports 13,000 
annual cases for the State of Indiana Department of Child Services. 

MUSEA TECHNOLOGIES, New York, New York, Vice President of Operations, 2000 to 2002 
Managed operations of an open source software company that developed collaboration and 
service delivery tools. Led operations analysis and design strategy for all projects. Managed 
programmers and designers working in database-backed web development platform. 
Responsible for budgeting and client relationships.  

HOBERMAN ASSOCIATES, New York, New York, VP of Engineering, 1998 to 2001 

Oversaw fabrication and construction of five major architectural structures in Japan, Chile, 
Germany, Finland, and California. Directed prototyping, engineering, fabrication, hydraulics, 
motion control systems, lighting, integration, and troubleshooting.  

FERN DESIGN, New York, New York, Software Developer, 1997 to 1998 
Led a team to create a case management and court reporting tool for a large non-profit 
organization supervising 900 felony offenders sentenced to community sanctions by the New 
York State Supreme Court. 

IAN FREED CONSULTING, New York, New York, Director of New York Office, 1994 to 1997 
Designed an auction system used to transition state enterprises of the former Soviet Union to 
private ownership for the US Agency for International Development.  

VERA INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE, New York, New York, Project Director, 1991 to 1994 
Developed a software tool for the New York Police Department supporting proactive 
problem-solving by community police officers.  

GENERAL MOTORS, Detroit and Flint, Michigan, Test Engineer, 1984 to 1988 
Worked as a mechanical engineer in the Cadillac Division’s crash test engineering and proving 
grounds operations.