Paula Patterson

Mrs. Paula Patterson is a public education innovator and advocate, who is passionately living out her mission to grow all students. Mrs. Patterson is the Superintendent of Schools for Crosby Independent School District, a mid-sized district in East Harris County, just outside of Houston.

Superintendent Patterson has returned to her hometown for the third time to serve her community at the highest level of district leadership. She was among the inaugural group of leaders chosen for the prestigious Superintendent Leadership Program with The Holdsworth Center in Austin. She will next embark on The Holdsworth Center’s Leadership Collaborative, strengthening the bench of district leaders in Crosby ISD.

Among her accomplishments, she is most proud of leading Crosby ISD to become the largest district in Texas to adopt a hybrid four-day instructional week. She has also been named: Principal of the Year honoree in Crosby ISD; 2023 TAABSE Dining with Divas honoree; Texas Association of School Administrators Executive Committee Member; Region 4 Chapter of Texas Council of Women School Educators President-Elect; and a member of the Houston Health Museum Steering Committee for the Drugs: Costs and Consequences Exhibit.

Mrs. Patterson is married to her Crosby High School classmate, Cedric Patterson, Jr., who is also an active member of the Crosby/Barrett Station communities and Crosby ISD. They have two sons, who are also Crosby High School graduates. Cedric Patterson, III (Tre) is currently a graduate student-athlete at Rice University and Jeremiah Patterson, who attends Texas State University.

Education is an occupation of the heart. With more than 20 years of experience in education, Mrs. Patterson’s ‘why’ is straightforward: forging new paths for students, driving innovation among staff, and leading with heart in the community she calls home. She loves nothing more than seeing students succeed, and she will always be a champion for high student academic achievement. She often shares that career paths are not always a straight line. She encourages students to never fear the curves and detours they will find in life on the way to their destination.

Humbled by her position, Superintendent Patterson is grateful each day that young women can see in her example a reflection of their future selves. She is thrilled to be among the honorees selected for the 2023 Top 30 Influential Women of Houston Awards. She wishes all the best to her fellow nominees on their journeys, sharing their superpowers as bold, inspirational, and aspirational leaders.