PASSIONATE. POSITIVE. EXPERIENCED.
Hello! My name is Patty Corum. I have served students, teachers, and school leaders for four decades, and I am inspired and excited about the work I see in our schools today. While great things are happening in the classrooms of our schools, educators will tell you it is a tough time to be in this field. School leaders, in their unwavering attempt to bring people together for the benefit of students and the future of our communities, often struggle in the most difficult situations; how to have meaningful conversations in the midst of turmoil.
Whether it is self-doubt, lack of strategies or experience, unknown consequences, stressed employees, or personal unrest, leaders often miss an opportunity to connect, solve problems, and move forward with another professional in a productive way. During my years in the seats of teacher, principal, assistant superintendent for human resources, and deputy superintendent, I watched great leaders excel and took note of how they did it. It all started with their ability to maintain self-confidence, connect with others, and have unselfish conversations. Those led to ongoing meaningful relationships, a positive school culture, and personal peace of mind.
I am excited to bring school leaders together for inspiration, learning, and practice on how to have difficult conversations in meaningful ways. Please let me know if you have a need and how I might be able to assist. We need each other more than ever, and our reliance on the energy and knowledge of beginners, all the way to the wisdom and experience of those who have served for many years, will help us move forward together.
Administrative and Teaching Experience
Deputy Superintendent, Fort Zumwalt School District, 2006-2014
Assistant Superintendent for Personnel, Fort Zumwalt School District, 2000-2006
Elementary Principal, Fort Zumwalt School District, 1996-2000
Elementary Principal, Liberty Public Schools, 1992-1996
Elementary Teacher, Liberty Public Schools, 1987-1992
Elementary Teacher, Boone County R-IV Schools, 1986-1987
Education
University of Missouri, Columbia, Ed.D., 2001
University of Missouri, Columbia, Ed.S., 1996
University of Missouri, Kansas City, MA, 1992
University of Missouri, Columbia, BS, 1986
Educational Certifications
Missouri Elementary Teacher K-6
Missouri Elementary Principal
Missouri Superintendent
Other Educational Experiences
Guest Instructor, St. Louis University Gateway Graduate Program, 2023-2025
Instructor and Guest Instructor, University of Missouri, Columbia Graduate Program, 2010-2024
Executive Director, Missouri Association of School Personnel Administrators, 2014-2023
Facilitator and Trainer for Rutherford Learning Group, 2014-2022
Design Team, Leader and Co-Author, Missouri Leadership Development System, MLDS, 2014-2019
Educational Administration Director and Assistant Professor, University of Missouri, St. Louis, 2014-2022
President, Missouri Association of School Personnel Administrators Board of Directors, 2010-2014
Publications
How to Have Difficult Conversations as an Educational Leader, Routledge, 2026
Hard Conversations, Messy to Meaningful, Starting with Me, Compass, Direction for HR Leaders in Education, 2024
How to Manage Difficult Conversations, School Business Affairs, 2019
Who is Taking Care of the Leader, Perspective, AASPA, 2019
Faces of Fort Zumwalt, proceeds to FZ Education Foundation, 2016
We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today
We worry about what a child will become tomorrow, yet we forget that he is someone today
- STACIA TAUSCHER