Kathy Ganske

Kathy Ganske is a research professor at Peabody College, Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, USA. She is currently chair of the American Educational Research Association Vocabulary Special Interest Group, a member of the Ride for Reading Board, and president-elect of the Middle Tennessee Reading Association.  She is author or coauthor of several books, including Word Journeys: Assessment-Guided Phonics, Spelling, and Vocabulary Instruction (2nd ed.; Guilford, 2014), Word Sorts and More: Sound, Pattern, and Meaning Explorations K–3 (Guilford, 2006), Mindful of Words: Spelling and Vocabulary Explorations 4–8 (Guilford, 2008), and Supporting Struggling Readers and Writers: Strategies for Classroom Intervention 3–6 (Stenhouse & International Reading Association, 2002). In addition, Kathy is a coeditor with Douglas Fisher of Comprehension Across the Curriculum: Perspectives and Practices K–12 (Guilford, 2010), as well as the author of numerous articles and book chapters. Her current research interests include interventions to promote vocabulary knowledge, especially during small-group word study instruction; research-practitioner partnerships; and meeting literacy needs in high-needs schools.

Kathy’s work draws on more than 20 years of elementary classroom teaching experience. She continues to be active in schools through her research and consulting. Kathy is a fellow of the National Writing Project, which she, like many, describes as a life-changing experience.  In her spare time, she enjoys writing, taking in the wide assortment of music and outdoor opportunities available in Nashville, and playing bridge.