About
Dr. Doreen Keller is an Associate Professor in the Graduate School of Education (GSE) at Whitworth University, specializing in teacher education with a focus on cultural responsiveness and place-based learning. She joined the permanent faculty in 2015 after serving as a visiting assistant professor. Prior to academia, she taught English for 11 years at Mt. Spokane High School and served as clinical faculty at Gonzaga University. Her doctorate from Washington State University (Ed.D.) and MIT degree from Gonzaga anchor her expertise in educational methodologies. Dr. Keller advocates for pedagogy rooted in empathy and cultural sensitivity, emphasizing teacher leadership in creating inclusive classrooms.
Education:
- Ed.D., Washington State University
- M.I.T., Gonzaga University
- B.A. in English, University of Washington
Research Interests: Dr. Keller’s work centers on best practices in teacher education, particularly in fostering cultural responsiveness and integrating place-based education to enhance student engagement and community connection. Her scholarship addresses systemic inequities in education, including the school-to-prison pipeline, and explores innovative curriculum designs aligned with Common Core standards.
Publications & Presentations: Her recent work includes studies on edTPA implementation, place-based education case studies, and strategies to disrupt educational disparities. Key presentations span topics like equity in education, partnership-driven sustainability initiatives, and critical pedagogy.
Teaching & Mentorship: Courses taught include Environmental and Sustainability Education, Culturally Competent Teaching, and edTPA Seminar. She emphasizes collaborative approaches to teacher preparation and has developed interdisciplinary curricula addressing local and global educational challenges.
Labs/Teams: While no formal lab is noted, her research collaborations include partnerships with Spokane Public Schools and community organizations to advance equity-focused educational practices.
