From private to public, 29-year-old Pat Conely finds himself back in high school. This time around he holds not the title of “student”, but “library tech” and in the hearts of the students he is a mentor, role model, and friend. Growing up in Portland, Maine, Pat attended Cheverus high school, a private catholic school.
After graduating in 2012, he continued his education at Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire. In college, his main focus of study was psychology and neuroscience. When asked why, he answered it’s because he is fascinated by the science of the brain. In his eyes, the brain is the best organ. He also shares his interest in learning about people’s behaviors and why people act in certain ways. In his opinion, this makes it better to connect with people, as relating to them becomes easier.
Pat is a strong mainer at heart. He keeps coming back to Maine because the weather is “just right” he says, and everywhere outside of New England is either too hot or cold. Although his love for Maine stays strong, his forever happy place is Garrison Tower, in Dover New Hampshire. He explains this choice by saying he enjoys climbing to the top and chilling, just “taking all of life in”.
Pat found his way to Yarmouth through a long-time family friend and teacher at YHS, Ms. Casey. She suggested he apply for a job at our school and thank goodness she did. He started as a classroom facilitator during covid and helped when teachers taught both online and in-person. He has previous job experience in elementary and middle school education but finds his calling at Yarmouth High School. Pat is not just a teacher but a mentor for all students. Having already experienced the highs and lows of high school, Pat is able to be a helping hand to anyone in need. He continuously shares his awesome insight to help the many students who look to him for guidance.
Coincidentally, educational occupations have become a recurring theme in Pat’s family history. He tells us that his mom, two of his aunts, and his grandma were all in the teaching field. Though continuing on tradition isn’t the reason Pat remains in this occupation.
Looking back on his high school years he explains to us things that he wishes he knew and to keep in mind. He agreed with the commonly-used remark of high school being something you’ll never forget but he also explained how it isn’t your whole world. It is simply four years of your life to meet friends and share experiences, which is why when he looks back on his teen years he remembers the good times and doesn’t dwell on the bad.
Since he talks with so many students he sees a lot of similarities and differences between Yarmouth and Cheverus. One of the biggest and most obvious differences is that social media has grown an extreme amount. When Pat was in school Snapchat was used for the sole purpose of sending pictures, not texting. He observes how social media impacts each student, whether it further divides them from the pack or brings people together. Another difference is acceptance. The school, as a whole, is furthering its work on accepting people of different genders, races, and religions. Back when he was in school it was very easy to be a target for bullying, and even though Yarmouth remains very “clicky”, Pat believes it is a better place for students, acceptance-wise.
Outside of school, Pat has hobbies that include rollerblading and rock climbing. You can tell he is a mainer from his love for the outdoors. Another go-to activity is spending time with friends and doing escape rooms. Apparently Pat has done one in each state he’s been to!
Pat has found comfort in his position at YHS and enjoys seeing the student body grow through the years. He looks forward to his daily chats with the students who find him during their breaks and study halls to chat about what’s new in their lives.
Pat helps students get through the long and somewhat stressful school days, so to them, he is a hero. Someone who is hero-like in Pat’s eyes is the one and only Lady Gaga. He loves Gaga because she embraces things that seem “taboo”, she isn’t afraid to speak out and uses her platform to spread awareness while keeping peace with her mindful presence.
Pat knows that life is an unpredictable adventure of ups and downs, but he knows something that will never change and that is his love for dolphins. They are the “dogs of the ocean,” he says. He has a love for all animals under the water but would jump at the opportunity to be a dolphin. His reasoning of why is that they only ever rest half of their brain when they sleep which is an extremely relatable statement. When Pat was young, his childhood dream job was as a Marine Biologist. Even little Pat knew that “animals in the ocean rock!” (Conely).
Looking into the future, Pat sees himself at Yarmouth for the coming years, with his vision set on one day becoming a guidance counselor. He feels it is important for counselors to be “great listeners of our goals and future plans” (Conely). Pat never fails to prove his diligence and consideration of students, he looks out for them and treats them how he’d want to be treated. Pat’s future career as a guidance counselor is beyond fitting because of his strong belief that all students’ voices are heard.
With his job here at YHS, Pat looks forward to working each day. He has a family here with a phenomenal and united staff and student body.