by Hanna Singh
For Dr. Charles Patterson, teaching isn’t just a career, it’s a calling. As a former professor at Louisiana Tech University, teacher at Choudrant High School, and a current educator at Cedar Creek School, Patterson values the connections with his students above just the job.
Patterson began his educational journey at Louisiana Tech University as a chemical engineering major. However, during the winter quarter of his freshman year, he realized that engineering wasn’t the path he was meant to follow.
“That day, I made the decision to change my major to Mathematics Education, and I never looked back,” Patterson said. “I knew that being a teacher was where I needed to be. I believe that God places a calling on your life and teaching is the calling for me.”
He completed both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mathematics education at Louisiana Tech, finishing his graduate studies in 1990. That fall, he began his teaching career at Choudrant High School, where he taught for the next 10 years.
In 2000, he transitioned to a full-time faculty position at Louisiana Tech, where he mostly taught introductory math courses to incoming freshmen. Although the classroom setting changed, Patterson found that high school and college students shared similar goals and struggles. Patterson remained at Tech until his retirement in 2023.
While working at Tech, he enjoyed his time there and built close friendships with fellow faculty members. However, he began to miss the long-term growth he witnessed while teaching high school students. That desire for deeper connection led him to accept a part-time role at Cedar Creek School in 2009.
While at Cedar Creek, he joined his wife, Jeanne, who teaches private piano lessons on campus. At the time, his daughter, Chanley, was in elementary school at Cedar Creek. One of his most memorable teaching experiences came years later when he had the opportunity to teach Chanley in Advanced Math and Calculus.
After his retirement from Tech, Patterson decided to join the Cedar Creek faculty full time for the 2023-24 school year. He developed an appreciation for the school’s Christian values and commitment to excellence. He has learned over the years of teaching that each day brings something new.
“What I most enjoy about my job is that no two days in education are the same. Every day has its own struggles and accomplishments,” Patterson said. “I most enjoy seeing the “light come on” in a student’s eyes when a concept clicks for them and they understand it for the first time, especially if they have struggled with it for a while.”
Patterson’s presence has quickly become an important part of everyday life at Cedar Creek. From the students to the staff, he has become a beloved figure across the campus. Cedar Creek Assistant Principal Leeanne Bordelon shared what makes Patterson an integral part of the Cedar Creek family.
“‘Dr. P’ is a favorite on campus. Students love that he is genuine and funny while holding them to high standards in the classroom.” Bordelon said. “As department head for mathematics, Dr. Patterson helps guide curricular decisions to enhance instruction and achievement schoolwide. He is a team player who supports every aspect of school life.
“Beloved by colleagues and students, Dr. Patterson is a tremendous asset to Cedar Creek. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from his academic career at Louisiana Tech and can speak directly to the kinds of math skills students need to be successful after high school. We are thrilled that he is now on campus with us full-time.”
Patterson explained that one way he builds rapport with students is by supporting their interests outside the classroom. He makes an effort to attend sporting events, theater productions and other student activities whenever possible.
His own passion for education runs deep. Inspired by the value his family placed on learning, Patterson began working toward his doctoral degree in 1996 and completed it in 2002. Though many assume his doctorate is in mathematics, it’s actually in educational leadership. Patterson described how his educational journey shaped him into the teacher he is today and what he sees in his future.
“The skills that I learned while working on my doctorate have helped to shape the teacher I am today. When I completed that degree, I knew that I had fulfilled a lifelong dream. I always try to encourage my students to pursue their dreams just as my parents encouraged me to pursue mine,” Patterson said. “I am looking forward to what God has in store for this next phase of my teaching career.”
