patrick loach: A Multitalented multitasker

Last spring when he interviewed for the position of assistant head of Collegiate’s Upper School, Patrick Loach fielded a question that caught him a bit off guard. Which accomplishment during your tenure as the school’s director of technology, he was asked, makes you proudest?

He could have given many answers. He could have talked about his integral role as the school entered the Internet age. He could have mentioned his part in developing programs that made virtually everyone at Collegiate computer literate. He could have cited major projects such as laptops for faculty or equipping each building for wireless communication or the proliferation of computer labs around the campus.

His response was none of the above. “What I’m proudest of,” he explained, “wasn’t what we did in technology. “When I came here, I made a conscious choice to connect with the kids, to build relationships with them. “That’s what’s most meaningful.”

For those who know Loach only as a tech guy, such an answer might seem surprising. For those who have watched him in action as an advisor, club sponsor, chaperone for dances and field trips, voice of Collegiate basketball, emcee of the homecoming pep rally, or enthusiastic advocate of students, his response was right in character.

“Patrick’s greatest strength,” said Upper School head Jon Brougham, “is his ability to relate to kids and care about them. “He can talk with students about serious issues but in a light way that really builds a rapport.”

A native of Long Island, Loach graduated with a B.A. in history from SUNY Geneseo. His plan was to teach social studies in upstate New York, but the job market was tight so he took graduate classes at his alma mater and worked a variety of jobs to make ends meet.

“Did long-term subbing,” he said.  “Worked at a gas station. “Even worked at Wal-Mart.  If you bought a gas grill or a lawn mower in the Geneseo area around 1993, I’d suggest not using it because I was the one who put it together.”

He soon moved to Charlottesville, again worked several part-time jobs, enrolled in an instructional technology program at University of Virginia, and earned his M.Ed. “All along, the plan was to teach history,” he said.  “I figured this would help me get a job as a history teacher.”

The burgeoning world of technology excited him, however. Many of his UVA classmates were landing jobs as “information architects” at the AOL headquarters in Northern Virginia.  Loach figured that would be his next stop, at least for the time being.

One thing led to another, though, and there he was one summer day in 1995, interviewing with Collegiate headmaster Rob Hershey for the newly created post of director of technology.

“He offered me the job on a Thursday,” Loach recalls, “and I initially said no. “He asked me to think about it over the weekend.  I did some soul searching and came to the conclusion that none of the reasons I wanted to be a teacher had changed.

“I had to figure a way to stay ahead of the curve technically and still be able to work with kids. “I called Rob back and accepted the job.” He hit the ground running that first fall and hardly broke stride as the years passed.

Under his watch, Collegiate became a model for technological excellence, and Loach found himself looking for new challenges. Unsure if he wanted to remain in education or enter the business world, he entered a year-long, executive-format program at UVA in 2002 and left with an M.S. in information technology management. During that time, he experienced a moment of true awakening.

“It was the day of the Collegiate-St. Christopher’s football game,” he recalls.  “Whenever we took a break from class, I picked up my cell phone and called to find out the score. “Every single time, somebody would say, ‘Why do you care about a high school football game?’ “I couldn’t explain to them why I cared, but I knew I did.  It was then that I knew I wanted to be in education.”

So here he is, a couple of months into his new position. Just as he did before, he arrives early, goes full-bore through the day, stays late. He’s involved with academic advising and scheduling. He puts out fires. He handles spontaneous situations that fall to the assistant head.  He always seems to be talking to a colleague or a student.  

Before he heads home to Emily, his wife of five years, and their son Charlie, 2-1/2, he often stops by a Collegiate athletic event or two.

“I really enjoy what I’m doing,” he said one day recently as he paused to catch his breath. “I get to spend a lot of time with the kids and the faculty. They’re both a pleasure to work with.”