Patrice Drake

Director of High School Curriculum Advancement |Workforce Development

Patrice Drake brings over two decades of science education and curriculum design experience to her work, shaped by a deep commitment to student success, teacher empowerment, and practical innovation. Raised in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, her career in education began at UNC Wilmington, where she earned a B.S. in Biology as an NC Teaching Fellow.

Since moving to Burke County in 2005, she has spent 21 years in the classroom teaching high school chemistry and physical science. A National Board Certified Teacher for 16 years, she has also collaborated with the N.C. Department of Public Instruction through the Governor’s Teacher Network to design high school chemistry curriculum. Driven by a passion for systems and data-informed strategies, she earned a Master’s in Health Informatics & Information Management from East Carolina University in 2026.

As Director of High School Curriculum Advancement, she is excited to continue her educational career with The Industrial Commons by connecting teachers with the Textile Innovation Engine network and developing hands-on supplemental resources that elevate classroom learning across the region.

Outside of work, she enjoys hanging out with friends at Bigfoot Climbing Gym, taking walks with her partner and their four dogs, and traveling.