Dr. Patrick Doering is a new teacher at Central Catholic who I think has been a great addition to the educational force of our school. He teaches in a way I have never experienced before and is the exact type of teacher many people expect for the young men of Central Catholic. Dr. Doering, in my opinion, is the best religion teacher I have ever had (I had the legendary Brother Kenneth).  He is a lively teacher who would rather be able to speak his opinion and passion for religion in addition to being a father to his four children than anything else. Though his class is very difficult and he expects a lot from us, he helps his students on their journey to the real world and to our future trials and tribulations in college. Most of his assignments are what he gives to his college students, or at least are at the same level of what he would give to them.

Doering was born in New Jersey, grew up in Louisiana, and then later moved to North Carolina. Doering’s father was Protestant and his mother was a Catholic so the household was a hybrid of religion. Doering commented that he had lost his faith as young man, had been a “douchebag”(his words) until junior year of college.   One day his faith came back to him. When Doering looked at his then-girlfriend, he felt empty. He broke it off with her and started researching religion and eventually came to Catholicism. He decided to become a monk at St. Vincent’s Seminary in Latrobe, PA. During his time at St. Vincent’s, he discovered the fire he had for teaching. He subbed in as a professor for a Theology class in 2000 and never looked back. At that moment, he decided what he wanted to do for the rest of of his life. As an undergraduate he majored in military history and literature, which in all likelihood, will lead someone to be a teacher. He then got his Ph.D. in philosophical theology from Duquesne University. He is a very well-educated man that hopes the same for his children, but would still support them fully if they decided to be something other than college students.

His wife, Jennifer, was the love of his life from their first date at Barnes and Nobles. He met her at Duquesne University while studying for his Ph.D.  He claims his wife is more pious then he, and Dr. D is a great supporter and lover of the faith.  Knowing of how well-traveled Dr. Doering is, I was surprised to hear that he has lived in Pittsburgh for so long. He told me that his father-in-law was very sick, and he would rather stay to help and support his wife in their troubling times with her father’s sickness. They are also considering adopting a child from Africa who is not able to experience the happiness and freedom that he and his family experience. His wife, Jennifer, is adamant about adopting this child, and they will most likely be adding this child within the next few years.

Prior to working at Central Catholic, he was a professor at Duquesne University in the Theology Department. He still teaches at Duquesne part-time and officiates soccer games when he can. He was also a coach for a Division Three soccer team, where he coached both the male and female teams.