If there is one thing that OLSH Director of Technology, Patricia Krueger, is passionate about, it is getting girls excited about successful careers in STEM.

A native Canadian, Patricia holds a Bachelors of Mathematics with a major in Operations Research and a minor in Computer Science from the University of Waterloo.  In addition, she has a Private Academic Certification in Computer Technology K-12.  While living in Canada, Patricia also worked as a Management Consultant for Andersen Consulting (now Accenture) in both Toronto and Vancouver.  

Equipped with 16 years of professional STEM experience as she joined the OLSH staff in 2017, Patricia began to get involved by working on the Middle States Strategic Planning Team, the Safety Team, and on the Academic Excellence Committee of the OLSH Board. 

Patricia helps coordinate OLSH’s STEM Club. For the first 2 years of the club, the STEM Club has been focused on participating in the Rube Goldberg online competition.  Future planned activities for the STEM Club include robotics, coding, and other hands-on competitions.  Patricia hopes that students learn that the problem-solving nature of STEM is applicable in all areas of their lives. Patricia also worked with librarian Bethany Cvitkovic and Computer Science teacher Paula Vigrass to host Hour of Code week through Code.org and hopes to make this an annual event at OLSH.

“STEM is in everything we do! I want the students to realize that they can be a part of that through various career paths and activities like STEM Club and Hour of Code.” Patricia said. 

Working with students in STEM is not new for Patricia. After moving to Pittsburgh in 1999 with her husband and four children, Patricia opted to stay at home for a few years, caring for their young children.  As her children got older, Patricia worked as a substitute teacher, Computer, Math, and Algebra teacher, and Technology Coordinator for St. Alphonsus school in Wexford.  

“Taking this position at OLSH was my way into that business technology world for me, but also a way to keep that education part too. I really enjoy working with kids, so things like the STEM Club in addition to my role with the faculty and staff at OLSH is a great way to combine my interests,” Patricia said. 

Patricia provides the OLSH faculty and staff support with any of their hardware and software needs.  In addition to troubleshooting issues with devices and tools, she searches for tools and other tech resources that can be used for instructional purposes, and manages the school’s phone and security systems.

Patricia has dedicated many hours over the past several summers to streamline and upgrade a variety of systems at OLSH such as the Cafeteria System, PowerSchool software application, Accessit library system, new visitor management system and the OLSH app. Patricia also attends various conferences to keep current on new technology innovations, and recommends technology-related policies that need to be put in place.  

In addition to Patricia’s work with students and faculty alike, she finds value in working for a small, family-like organization that also promotes the Catholic faith. 

 “OLSH provides a family atmosphere that gives you the opportunity to move things along and to make a difference,” Patricia said. “Being involved in my faith is also very important to me as I and my children were both raised through Catholic education.”

Patricia’s four children are now grown; she has three sons, and a daughter who is a sophomore in college. Her family likes to spend time together at their camp on the Allegheny River for weekend getaways. In her free time, Patricia enjoys knitting and reading. 

Patricia recalled always being supported by her family to pursue a career in STEM, despite the challenges and stereotypes for women. Patricia hopes to inspire the next generation of girls in STEM careers.

“One of my pet peeves is seeing advertisements for careers in STEM with no female representation,” Patricia said. “This can be a real obstacle especially for girls in high school. Anything I can do to try and break down those barriers is something I am interested in.”