Nicole Patton Terry, who serves as the Olive & Manuel Bordas Professor of Education in the School of Teacher Education and directs the Florida Center for Reading Research (FCRR), has been elected to the National Academy of Education (NAEd). She is among 19 education leaders and scholars from across the United States selected this year, and is the first member from Florida State University to join the Academy. The NAEd recognizes individuals for outstanding scholarship and significant contributions to education policy and practice.
“It is a tremendous honor to be recognized by my peers in the National Academy of Education,” Patton Terry said. “This election is a testament to the collaborative work we are doing at FSU and the Florida Center for Reading Research to ensure that every child has the language and literacy skills necessary to succeed in school and in life.”
As an NAEd member, Patton Terry will work alongside other scholars focused on advancing educational research and its application in policy. The organization conducts studies on important educational issues and manages fellowship programs aimed at developing future education researchers.
“Dr. Patton Terry’s work embodies the very best of Florida State’s research mission —translating rigorous inquiry into meaningful public impact,” said Vice President for Research Stacey S. Patterson. “Her work to bridge the gap between the science of reading and day-to-day educational practice is reshaping how we teach our children, and we are incredibly proud to see her scholarship honored on this national stage.”
Patton Terry joined FSU in 2018 after serving as an associate professor of special education at Georgia State University. At FSU, she established The Village at FCRR, which emphasizes collaboration with schools and community partners in research efforts.
She holds a doctorate in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a focus on learning disabilities from Northwestern University, beginning her career as a special education teacher in Evanston, Illinois. Her research has received support from organizations such as the Institute of Education Sciences, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, Spencer Foundation, and William T. Grant Foundation.
Patton Terry also serves as past president of the Society for the Scientific Study of Reading, and is a fellow with both the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and American Educational Research Association.
