Authorship, Leadership, And His Life’s Work: A Spotlight On David Doyle
David Doyle is known as many things – Independent Study Academy Vice Principal, former San Jose State University football player, an avid (and in his own words – “not very good”) golfer, and most importantly, “G-Pop”, which he’s affectionately called by his granddaughter.
Many of his worlds have collided here at Visions – his academic accolades, including a B.A. in Administration of Justice and an M.A. in both Educational Counseling and School Administration, his love of sports, and his deep commitment to student advocacy, representation, and success – culminating in one of his proudest achievements: his debut novel, Parker.
“I first created the story in 2010 as a screenplay, but over time, working in education, I realized the importance of giving students books where they could truly see themselves. That’s when I decided to turn it into a novel,” David explained. “After years of developing the story, I finalized the outline in 2020 and dedicated the summer of 2024 to finishing the manuscript. On release day, Parker became an Amazon bestseller and has continued to receive powerful feedback from readers.”
The novel has an element for everyone – sports, family, identity, and what it really takes to chase a dream. As David proclaims, “Parker embodies the students I’ve taught, the athletes I’ve coached, and even parts of myself. It’s one of my proudest accomplishments.”
Making a Dream Work
The themes woven throughout Parker are a meld of David’s personal experiences and professional roles. Through his work, he ensures that all students have the academic and social-emotional support necessary to succeed – a dedication to their well-being in school, at home, and in life.
“I love calling students and supporting them. I love the student events and being silly with the kiddos,” he began. “Independent Study is unique in that our students come from many different walks of life and each has their own reasons for choosing this path. Every student has an amazing journey, and we have the privilege of meeting them where they are and getting them to the finish line. What more could we ask for?”
This dedication is strengthened by David’s leadership team and the extraordinary teachers in the Doyle/Patel community; their “in office” Wednesdays, bonding time at student events, and student-centered collaboration helps nurture one of David’s primary goals in leadership: building a strong team chemistry that reflects in the way we serve our students and families.
“Shout out to the entire Visions team,” David said simply. “Teamwork makes the dreamwork.”
More About Parker
Parker now has an official book trailer, and although the novel has already amassed hundreds of readers, there’s one in particular that stands out to David.
“I am extremely grateful to our Superintendent, Dr. Steve Olmos, for being one of the first to read my manuscript and for endorsing Parker. His support meant a great deal to me.”
“Parker is a high interest novel that deals with many themes that young people are dealing with today. As a former middle school teacher, I see so many ways I could have used this book in my classroom to help my students deal with their many life challenges,” said Superintendent Olmos. “Parker’s character was relatable. I really appreciated that the book’s entire focus was not solely on football, but also on being a good student, friend and person. And above all, it was about family.”
David’s array of achievements – former D1 athlete, community leader, and Amazon bestselling author – are undoubtedly impressive, but it’s his heart and his character that will compose his life’s work.
“I’m someone who loves to laugh and bring joy to others,” David began, “and I am very grateful for everything I have, never forgetting where I came from.”
Read this featured article on David in The Stockton Record, and get your copy of Parker on Amazon. To learn more about David and his work, please visit his official website.