About the Dr. Jerry J. Mallett Institute
The Mallett Institute serves as the umbrella organization encompassing the Mazza Museum and its related 28 educational programs and outreach activities. Included are the Mazza Weekend and Summer Conferences for teachers and school librarians.
There is also the “Dr. Jerry J. Mallett Institute Endowment Fund,” established with a gift by Michael and Anne Mallett and their children. The endowment fund will be used to support the operations of the Mazza Museum. Family, friends and museum enthusiasts have committed more than $700,000 in honor of Mallett.
Mallett has devoted his life’s work to teaching children to read and promoting an appreciation of language arts, children’s literature and children’s book illustrations. He has served as an elementary school teacher and principal, college professor, children’s book author and children’s literacy expert. He recognized early that the illustrations in children’s picture books are key in helping children learn to read and that the artwork extends and expands the meaning and context of the story.