Although Patty teaches a wide variety of courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels, her specialties are children’s writing, children’s literature, literacy and social justice areas. Prior to earning her Ph.D. from Penn State and moving to the Eastern Shore of Maryland in 2002, she was a primary school teacher for 20 years in Pennsylvania. Currently, she is serving as the president of the Literacy and Social Responsibility Special Interest Group, part of the International Reading Association. Patty is also on the selection committee for the Green Earth Book Awards, given annually in 5 categories, honoring children’s literature that not only focuses on the environment, but gives a message of empowerment/stewardship to the readers from early years to young adult.