Adjunct Assistant Professor
Heather Gerker, Ph.D., is an educational researcher and advocate committed to fostering inclusive environments and advancing educational equity through community engagement, research, and collaborative leadership. Her work is driven by a profound sense of justice, empathy, and passion for amplifying educator voices and connecting with communities to create impactful change.
Dr. Gerker’s academic journey includes a Ph.D. in educational policy, a Master of Educational Leadership, and a Master of Early Childhood Education, complemented by an American Montessori Society Early Childhood Teaching Credential. She has spent over fifteen years in education, serving in various roles including early childhood teacher, teacher educator, and director of a teacher education program. She has held positions such as an Associate Researcher at the Center for Learner Agency Research and Action at the University of Kansas, Research Associate at the Family Resiliency Center at the University of Illinois- Urbana-Champaign, Adjunct Professor and Research Methods Teaching Assistant at the University of Cincinnati, and Research Assistant at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.