Erin Nerlino

Erin Nerlino is an Associate Professor of Practice in the Department of Education at Clark University. With 11 years of teaching experience in Massachusetts public high schools, she brings practical classroom insights to her research on teacher leadership, policy impacts, and social justice in education. She earned her Ed.D. from Boston University’s Wheelock College of Education and was a 2024 semifinalist for Massachusetts Teacher of the Year.

Education:

• Ed.D. in Curriculum and Teaching, Boston University (2023)
• M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction, Boston College (2015)
• B.A. in English & Secondary Education, Boston College (2013)

Research Focus: Her work examines teacher agency in policy implementation, antiracist pedagogy in predominantly white schools, and the intersection of teacher career stages with professional development. Recent projects explore pandemic-era educational challenges and the role of sabbaticals in sustaining teacher well-being.

Awards:

• Semifinalist for Massachusetts Teacher of the Year (2024)

Advocacy & Grants: Nerlino has collaborated on initiatives to foster equitable teacher preparation programs and has presented at the American Education Research Association Annual Meeting on topics like antiracist curriculum design and policy critiques. Her book Preparing Antiracist Teachers (2024) outlines strategies for disrupting systemic inequities in teacher education.