Patrick Schuermann is a Research Assistant Professor at Peabody College of Vanderbilt University. He received his doctorate from the Department of Leadership, Policy, and Organizations. His principal research agenda focuses on non-traditional public schools and independent school leadership issues. Over the past several years, Patrick has worked with a trans-institutional team of university leaders and regional independent school leaders to create the Independent School Leadership Institute, which is a joint venture between the National Research and Development Center on School Choice and the Peabody Professional Institutes. His doctoral dissertation focuses on an integrated approach to faculty evaluation, professional development, and compensation models for non-traditional schools.