Eiley Patterson is a Vermonter and third generation farmer. She was born and raised in Vermont by a family of artists and free thinkers. Eiley holds a B.A. in Literature from Kenyon College, and an M.Ed from the University of Vermont. 

She has taught a wide range of ages, everything from AP literature to Kindergarten reading and math. While living in Vermont she taught high school English and coached field hockey. During that time she was also a freelance journalist for the local newspaper. Since living in Charlottesville, she has taught in both private and public schools. 

Before teaching at Seven Rivers, Eiley worked as a fine gardener at several historic estates and farms in the local area. She now shares her gardening expertise with the students at Seven Rivers during their farm classes. 

She attended a one room schoolhouse in Vermont, not too different from the Seven Rivers schoolhouse. Her early schooling involved field trips to hike the Green Mountains in the fall, downhill and cross country ski trips in the winter, and visits to maple sugaring houses in the spring. Her early education experience deeply influences how she approaches teaching and learning with her students at Seven Rivers. 

Eiley’s teaching celebrates the power of play and nature to enrich the lives of her students, and expand their understanding of the world. In the words of Mr. Rogers,“…for children play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.” Eiley hopes that  her students will carry with them a sense of play throughout their lives.  

When summer arrives, Eiley heads to the Green Mountains where she enjoys hiking with her dog in the woods, paddle boarding on a quiet northern lake, and long bike rides on dirt roads that include stops at local farm stands for ice cream.