Expert Guidance
The institute is guided by Peabody's Dept. of Teaching and Learning
Locally focused
We partner with local schools to increase literacy among adolescents
$10M
in funding from author James Patterson
2026
The Patterson Institute was founded in 2026
Our Mission: The Patterson Institute for Early Adolescent Literacy seeks to transform grades 4–8 literacy outcomes by integrating innovative instruction, educator development, family partnerships, and generating evidence to shape practice that supports early adolescents as capable, engaged, and empowered readers and writers.
Quick Facts
Established: 2026
Key Donor: Bestselling author and Vanderbilt alumnus James Patterson, MA’70, launched the institute with a $10 million investment.
Location: Middle Tennessee
Affiliation: Vanderbilt Peabody College of education and human development, housed within the Department of Teaching and Learning
Partnerships: For the 2026-27 academic year, the institute is launching partnerships with schools across Middle Tennessee serving 4-8th grade students, their educators, and their families.
Scope of Work: The institute’s efforts will emphasize student instruction, professional development for active teachers, elite graduate training for future literacy leaders, and engagement opportunities for families.
The Patterson Institute’s approach is grounded in authentic literacy experiences and evidence-based practice, with a goal of engaging students in reading, writing, discussing, questioning, creating and solving meaningful problems. Vanderbilt Peabody scholars will research collaboratively with partner schools to understand and share outcomes.
Learn more about Patterson's transformative gift and the institute's goals for a literate future:
The Vanderbilt Advantage
Vanderbilt Peabody College was strategically selected by James Patterson due to its longstanding reputation as a pathmaker in teacher preparation and education research. Peabody is widely regarded as among the top such colleges in the U.S. (Ranked No. 5 overall by U.S. News & World Report in 2026).
The Patterson Institute will be informed by Peabody’s Department of Teaching and Learning, where faculty and students are committed to understanding the most effective teaching tools, both in and out of the classroom.
Literacy is the bedrock of a functioning society, yet far too many students know how to read without understanding what they read. This institute will develop the evidence-based solutions to get these students back on track.
Leadership
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Emily Pendergrass
Executive Director
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Brian Kissel
Director of Professional Development
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Emily Phillips Galloway
Director of Research
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Blaine Smith Esquivel
Director of Partnerships
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Huili Hong
Director of Family Engagement
Fellows
Institute Fellows serve in partner schools as literacy specialists in training, providing evidence-based support to students, collaborating with educators, and helping bridge research and practice to strengthen literacy learning for learners in 4-8th grades. Fellows also engage with families to support literacy beyond the classroom and contribute to the development of professional learning modules and instructional resources that extend the Institute's impact across schools and communities. They are Peabody graduate students, with many earning degrees in Reading Education from the Department of Teaching and Learning.
Patterson Institute News
Contact
To contact us, please send us an email at: patterson.institute@vanderbilt.edu
