Meet Diane

Age: 61

Family: Husband, Ned H. Patrick, D.D.S, Arlington Dentist; two adult children, graduates of Arlington public schools; two grandsons and one granddaughter.

Political experience: Texas State Board of Education, 1992-96
Arlington School District Board of Trustees, 1981-92 (four years as board president)

Work Experience:
Currently teaching at Texas Christian University.
Faculty member at The University of Texas at Arlington from 1994-2007
Consultant and School Board Trainer for the Region Education Service Center IV, 1997-98
Arlington School District Consultant and Community Liaison, 1997
Director of Adult Program Services at CPC Millwood Hospital, 1992-93
Director of Education, In-Patient Services and Adolescent Services at Bedford Meadows Hospital, 1989-92
Teacher in Birdville School District, 1986-89
Office Business Manager for Ned H. Patrick, D.D.S., 1984-1986
Teacher In Richardson School District, 1967-71
Teacher In Waco School District, 1966-67

Education: University of North Texas, Doctor of Philosophy Degree, 1999
University of North Texas , Master's Degree, 1969
Baylor University, Bachelor's Degree, 1966


Dr. Patrick served as a member of the Arlington ISD Board of Trustees for 11 years, including four years as School Board President, and she served as an elected Republican on the Texas State Board of Education from 1992-1996. During her 15 years of elected leadership, she earned a reputation as a smart and dedicated leader and a staunch fiscal conservative.

She has worked as an elementary classroom teacher, served as director of educational programs at two hospitals and provided consulting services to Arlington

ISD. Since 1994, Dr. Patrick has worked at The University of Texas at Arlington where she is currently a Clinical Associate Professor in the College of Education.

After graduating in the top of her class at Longview High School in 1963, Diane attended Baylor University where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree with a Major in Elementary Education and a Minor in English in 1966. She went on to earn her Master of Education degree with a Major in Elementary Education and Minor in English from the University of North Texas in 1969. In the mid-90s, Diane re-enrolled at UNT and graduated in 1999 with a Doctor of Philosophy degree with a Major in Educational Administration and a Minor in Public Administration.

Married since 1965 to Ned H. Patrick, an Arlington dentist, Dr. Patrick and her husband settled in Arlington in 1973 where they raised their two children, Craig and Claire, both graduates of Arlington public schools. Craig is an attorney in Dallas and Claire is a doctoral student at Texas A&M University-Commerce. Claire and her husband have two sons.

Dr. Patrick has a wealth of experience in education. She is currently Vice President of the Arlington ISD Educational Foundation Board. She also has provided leadership in numerous other educational organizations including the Texas Center for Educational Research Advisory Board and Consortium of State Organizations of Texas Teacher Educators. Dr. Patrick has authored numerous publications on education issues in
Texas and been recognized for her dedication to excellence in education by organizations such as the Association of Texas Professional Educators and American Association of University Women.

In addition to her involvement in education, Dr. Patrick has played an active role in various community organizations. She is a member of the Junior League of Arlington and Women’s Policy Forum of Tarrant County, and has served on the Board of Directors for the Arlington Museum of Art and Children’s Advocacy Network, as President of the Executive Committee of the Center for Professional Development and Technology and as county Co-chair of the March of Dimes. She has also served on the Tarrant County School-to-Work Commission and Tarrant County Youth Council.