Patricia McDaniels-Gomez serves as the Professional Development Coordinator for Gear Up O+K=C at the K20 Center. As the Professional Development Coordinator for Gear Up O+K=C, Patricia works with teachers and staff in the Oklahoma City Public Schools by creating and facilitating authentic learning experiences through various methods of professional development. All learning experiences are customized to support the needs identified by individual school data. Her career as a high school ELA teacher began at the Zuni Public School District, the only tribally controlled school district in New Mexico, for one year and then moved to Norman North High School, where she taught ELA, Advanced Placement courses, AVID, and the Study of the 39 Tribes of Oklahoma for the past 18 years. Her passion for higher learning and authentic teaching led her to the K20 Center. Patricia obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Arts with an emphasis on English at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma and her Master’s degree in Arts with an emphasis on teaching with a minor in Native American Studies from Cameron University. Outside of her career, Patricia and her family are active in their culture as members of the Oklahoma City Powwow Club, dancing at various powwows and tribal ceremonials, and playing handgame in the winter.