During his years as Science Department Head at Mackenzie High School, Bill Patterson developed and won support for the TAMARACK idea. He taught the first three TAMARACK classes before retiring in June 1995, following an accomplished 33-year career.

Highlights

• Involved with the Mackenzie Trekker outdoor program since 1972, leader for nine years, organized and led approximately 12 canoe trips
• Coached football at Mackenzie for eight years
• Vice-Principal at Mackenzie, 1970-71
• Visiting Professor of Science Education at Queen's University, Kingston, 1974-75
• Co-Chairman of the Ontario Ministry of Education Senior Biology Review, 1975-76
• On leave, worked for Atomic Energy of Canada Limited's Chalk River Labs, 1981-82
• Ontario Ministry of Education Environmental Science Curriculum Committee, 1980-81
• Selected as "Fellow" to the Shell Merit Fellowship Institute (now the SEEDS Foundation), University of Calgary, 1985
• On sabbatical leave investigating experiential education programs in the United States, February to June 1990
• Held meetings with Ontario Ministry of Education and Renfrew County Board of Education officials, 1990
• Taught first TAMARACK class at Mackenzie High School, 1991
• Delivered the TAMARACK program for the second time, 1993
• Third and final TAMARACK class followed by Patterson's retirement in June, 1995.
• Now working as an independent educational consultant and continues to play an active role in many aspects of TAMARACK