معرفی
Heather Gerker, Ph.D., is an educational researcher and advocate currently serving as an Associate Researcher at the Center for Learner Agency Research and Action, University of Kansas. She has held academic roles including Adjunct Professor and Research Methods Teaching Assistant at the University of Cincinnati, and Research Associate at the Family Resiliency Center, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Her educational background includes:
- Ph.D. in Educational Policy & Higher Education, University of Cincinnati (2024)
- Master of Educational Leadership, University of Cincinnati (2022)
- Master of Early Childhood Education, Endicott College (2007)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts in Electronic Media, University of Cincinnati (2004)
- Montessori Early Childhood Teaching Credential, Northeast Montessori Institute (2007)
Dr. Gerker's research centers on educational equity, Montessori education, teacher identity, and inclusive pedagogy. Her work emphasizes community engagement, antiracist frameworks, and the intersection of policy and practice in public Montessori schools. She explores how educators navigate identity and advocacy within institutional constraints.
Her recent publications and presentations highlight a strong focus on Montessori implementation, teacher advocacy, classroom assessment, and equity in early childhood education. The research consistently applies qualitative and community-based methodologies, often centering marginalized voices and promoting systemic change.
She has presented her work at national and international conferences, including the American Montessori Society Conference, demonstrating active scholarly engagement.
Dr. Gerker has over fifteen years of experience in Montessori education, having served as a teacher, teacher educator, and director of a teacher education program. This deep practical foundation informs her research and advocacy, ensuring relevance and impact in real-world educational settings.
