Peabody Reflector Spring 2026

By Jennifer Kiilerich Imagine applying to a support service that turns down 66 percent of first-time applicants. Then imagine navigating that—a process which can involve multiple attempts, forms, taking time off work for meetings, and more—in English when it may not be your first language. That experience is the reality… Read More

By Jenna Somers Educators and researchers around the world, especially in countries with limited resources, need cost-effective, scalable tools for assessing early child development. Direct assessments, a commonly used approach, require children to complete a range of activities that measure academic, physical and social-emotional skills. These assessments paint a nuanced… Read More

By Jennifer Kiilerich Tatiana Peredo Tatiana Peredo, research assistant professor of special education at Vanderbilt Peabody College of education and human development, has been selected for a Fulbright U.S. Scholar award to Chile for the 2026–27 academic year. It is Peredo’s second time receiving the renowned federal award,… Read More

By Jennifer Kiilerich Nicole Joseph The prestigious Mathematical Association of America’s Mary P. Dolciani Award celebrates outstanding contributions in mathematics education and typically goes to mathematicians. But this year, Vanderbilt Peabody College scholar Nicole Joseph shifted the norm. An associate professor of teaching and learning, she will… Read More

Camilla Benbow (Photo by John Russell) A Peabody College education isn’t always tied to a physical place or a particular life stage, and it doesn’t exclusively result in a degree. We continually envision what it means to educate and serve professionals throughout their careers, whether by offering degree programs, evidence-based… Read More

By Jennifer Kiilerich In an outpatient waiting room at the Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, occupational therapist Kevin Durney noticed a problem: the space where children and families spent time before appointments felt sterile, with nothing to do that reflected the kids who sat there. He wanted to… Read More

By Jenna Somers Vanderbilt Peabody College of education and human development has long distinguished itself by putting innovative scholarship into practice, often through research-practice partnerships, community outreach and sharing evidence-based resources with practitioners. Peabody alumni do this, too, applying lessons learned at Peabody to careers in education, non-profit leadership,… Read More

By Jennifer Kiilerich Molly Anne Thompson Murfreesboro, Tennessee, residents Dr. Roy and Margrey Thompson are skilled at finding laughter amidst difficulties. Each of their three children faced unique learning differences, and the couple often had to fight to get them the support they needed in school. Now, years after launching… Read More

Five faculty members and two alumni were recognized at the 2026 American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting in Los Angeles, April 8 – 12. Congratulations to Golnaz Arastoopour Irgens, Laurie Cutting, Ellen Goldring, Luis Leyva, Chezare Warren, Lam Pham, PhD’20, and Walker Swain, PhD’16. Read… Read More

Bryson McGuire (left) and Chezare Warren (right) at the Tennessee State Capitol, April 13, 2026 Two faculty members of Vanderbilt Peabody College of education and human development were honored at the Tennessee State Capitol on April 13, 2026. Chezare A. Warren and Bryson McGuire were recognized as… Read More

The Tennessee Education Research Alliance’s assessment of Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation’s K-3 Home Library program and Raising Readers Nashville’s after-school reading program will help partner organizations strengthen early literacy. By Jenna Somers The Tennessee Education Research Alliance has begun evaluation studies of early grade literacy programs serving Tennessee’s public-school… Read More

By Jennifer Kiilerich In Germany, a Festschrift—literally “festival writing”—is an academic tribute that honors a scholar through collected works and new research from peers. On April 16–17, Vanderbilt Peabody College of education and human development hosted a unique event based around this tradition. Lynn Fuchs The gathering honored the… Read More

By Kurt Brobeck One year after the launch of Vanderbilt University’s Lamar Alexander Initiative, the Initiative recently celebrated the “graduation” of its first cohort of Fellows. Its organizers are already looking forward to welcoming a second set of Fellows this summer. The Alexander Initiative is housed within Vanderbilt Peabody… Read More

By Jennifer Kiilerich As part of Jordan’s nationwide education reform initiative, scholars at Vanderbilt Peabody College of education and human development are partnering with four Jordanian universities through the Early Grade Education Activity (ASAS) to co-create curricula and support professional development centered on evidence-based, student-engaged learning for young… Read More

Five faculty members from Vanderbilt Peabody College of education and human development were recognized with awards and honors at the 2026 American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting in Los Angeles, April 8 – 12. Golnaz Arastoopour Irgens… Read More

By Jenna Somers AI data centers seem to be cropping up everywhere, often in rural farming communities, where crops are grown, where livelihoods depend on their yield and where their yield depends on groundwater, the cost of energy and infrastructure, and the health of the environment. Increasingly, these communities, in… Read More

By Jennifer Kiilerich On March 27, more than 100 students, faculty and practitioners celebrated the launch of the Vanderbilt Early Childhood Research Collaborative, established at Vanderbilt Peabody College of education and human development. The new initiative will drive innovation and promote the thriving of young children (birth… Read More