Patty TatePatty Tate has been a life-long believer that readers become leaders. Her childhood was filled with books, and she was blessed to have a mother that read all types of genre to her and her brothers. As an educator, Patty's goal was to instill the love of reading into each of her students. Whether it be through poetry, historical fiction and non-fiction, or the beloved Katherine Paterson novel, Bridge to Terabithia, she exposed her young charges to all manner of text. In 38 years of teaching, she was fortunate to share the love of reading with students from kindergarten to undergraduates in their respective college teaching programs.

Patty received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois, and her Master of Science in Elementary Education from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville, Illinois. She earned the distinction of becoming a National Board Certified Teacher in 2011. Patty lives in Carlyle, Illinois, with her husband Larry, where they raised their daughters Kimberly, Megan, and Whitney. Read More Read Less