Pat Colin attended the University of Wisconsin at Madison where she obtained a BS in Mathematics Education.  She later earned both a Masters in Educational Administration and a Pupil Personnel Services Credential from California State University Dominguez Hills. 

She began working for the Palos Verdes School District in 1984 as a mathematics teacher at what was then Rolling Hills High School, and made the transition to the counseling office in 1996.

She resides in the area with her husband and 3 sons.