Heather Gerker
Associate Researcher at Center for Learner Agency Research and Action- Claim this Profile
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Bio
Sara Wilson
I have known Heather as a colleague and friend through our work in Montessori education for over a decade. She is a creative, collaborative, and generative thinker who is genuinely a pleasure to work with and learn from. What I most admire about Heather is her deep commitment to anti-bias education and to representing and advocating for the voices of marginalized members of society, which is reflected in her professional work and in her personal commitments. Heather’s aptitude as an adult educator has been demonstrated through her exceptional compassion and gentle effectiveness in performing a variety of job responsibilities for a number of non-profit organizations. In her role at AMS, Heather was responsible for planning and executing the association’s professional development events, including a 5,000+ person annual conference. She has always been able to maintain a calm and caring demeanor while orchestrating the most diplomatic and complex solutions to challenges. All this said, Heather’s greatest strength is her interpersonal skill. She can keep a tense situation relaxed and productive. She can give colleagues credit for their achievements and express her appreciation for their good work, and she has the ability to work with sincerity with colleagues, supervisors, customers, and students.
Kayla Ritter Rickels, Ed.D.
I had the distinct pleasure of working with Heather during her time at StrivePartnership and my time at Cincinnati Public Schools. While an unlikely collaboration, Heather's high-impact work in the early learning spaces helped me think more strategically and longitudinally as I worked to impact the high school graduation to postsecondary transitions. With strengths in facilitation and convening, she is a true champion of students and their access to high-quality learning that meets their unique needs. I have witnessed her carry that passion and rigor into her leadership, collaboration, and research spaces to be a change agent for equity, especially as it relates to education policy.
Sara Wilson
I have known Heather as a colleague and friend through our work in Montessori education for over a decade. She is a creative, collaborative, and generative thinker who is genuinely a pleasure to work with and learn from. What I most admire about Heather is her deep commitment to anti-bias education and to representing and advocating for the voices of marginalized members of society, which is reflected in her professional work and in her personal commitments. Heather’s aptitude as an adult educator has been demonstrated through her exceptional compassion and gentle effectiveness in performing a variety of job responsibilities for a number of non-profit organizations. In her role at AMS, Heather was responsible for planning and executing the association’s professional development events, including a 5,000+ person annual conference. She has always been able to maintain a calm and caring demeanor while orchestrating the most diplomatic and complex solutions to challenges. All this said, Heather’s greatest strength is her interpersonal skill. She can keep a tense situation relaxed and productive. She can give colleagues credit for their achievements and express her appreciation for their good work, and she has the ability to work with sincerity with colleagues, supervisors, customers, and students.
Kayla Ritter Rickels, Ed.D.
I had the distinct pleasure of working with Heather during her time at StrivePartnership and my time at Cincinnati Public Schools. While an unlikely collaboration, Heather's high-impact work in the early learning spaces helped me think more strategically and longitudinally as I worked to impact the high school graduation to postsecondary transitions. With strengths in facilitation and convening, she is a true champion of students and their access to high-quality learning that meets their unique needs. I have witnessed her carry that passion and rigor into her leadership, collaboration, and research spaces to be a change agent for equity, especially as it relates to education policy.
Sara Wilson
I have known Heather as a colleague and friend through our work in Montessori education for over a decade. She is a creative, collaborative, and generative thinker who is genuinely a pleasure to work with and learn from. What I most admire about Heather is her deep commitment to anti-bias education and to representing and advocating for the voices of marginalized members of society, which is reflected in her professional work and in her personal commitments. Heather’s aptitude as an adult educator has been demonstrated through her exceptional compassion and gentle effectiveness in performing a variety of job responsibilities for a number of non-profit organizations. In her role at AMS, Heather was responsible for planning and executing the association’s professional development events, including a 5,000+ person annual conference. She has always been able to maintain a calm and caring demeanor while orchestrating the most diplomatic and complex solutions to challenges. All this said, Heather’s greatest strength is her interpersonal skill. She can keep a tense situation relaxed and productive. She can give colleagues credit for their achievements and express her appreciation for their good work, and she has the ability to work with sincerity with colleagues, supervisors, customers, and students.
Kayla Ritter Rickels, Ed.D.
I had the distinct pleasure of working with Heather during her time at StrivePartnership and my time at Cincinnati Public Schools. While an unlikely collaboration, Heather's high-impact work in the early learning spaces helped me think more strategically and longitudinally as I worked to impact the high school graduation to postsecondary transitions. With strengths in facilitation and convening, she is a true champion of students and their access to high-quality learning that meets their unique needs. I have witnessed her carry that passion and rigor into her leadership, collaboration, and research spaces to be a change agent for equity, especially as it relates to education policy.
Sara Wilson
I have known Heather as a colleague and friend through our work in Montessori education for over a decade. She is a creative, collaborative, and generative thinker who is genuinely a pleasure to work with and learn from. What I most admire about Heather is her deep commitment to anti-bias education and to representing and advocating for the voices of marginalized members of society, which is reflected in her professional work and in her personal commitments. Heather’s aptitude as an adult educator has been demonstrated through her exceptional compassion and gentle effectiveness in performing a variety of job responsibilities for a number of non-profit organizations. In her role at AMS, Heather was responsible for planning and executing the association’s professional development events, including a 5,000+ person annual conference. She has always been able to maintain a calm and caring demeanor while orchestrating the most diplomatic and complex solutions to challenges. All this said, Heather’s greatest strength is her interpersonal skill. She can keep a tense situation relaxed and productive. She can give colleagues credit for their achievements and express her appreciation for their good work, and she has the ability to work with sincerity with colleagues, supervisors, customers, and students.
Kayla Ritter Rickels, Ed.D.
I had the distinct pleasure of working with Heather during her time at StrivePartnership and my time at Cincinnati Public Schools. While an unlikely collaboration, Heather's high-impact work in the early learning spaces helped me think more strategically and longitudinally as I worked to impact the high school graduation to postsecondary transitions. With strengths in facilitation and convening, she is a true champion of students and their access to high-quality learning that meets their unique needs. I have witnessed her carry that passion and rigor into her leadership, collaboration, and research spaces to be a change agent for equity, especially as it relates to education policy.
Experience
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Center for Learner Agency Research and Action
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Education
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1 - 100 Employee
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Associate Researcher
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Sep 2023 - Present
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Crescent Ridge Academy: Montessori Education & Instruction
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United States
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Primary and Secondary Education
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1 - 100 Employee
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Teacher Educator & Practicum Coordinator
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Aug 2018 - Jul 2023
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Cincinnati Children's
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Hospitals and Health Care
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700 & Above Employee
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Research Assistant
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Dec 2022 - May 2023
Qualitative Methods Analysis Center (QMAC) - Facilitated clinical team projects in qualitative analysis and data dissemination processes. Qualitative Methods Analysis Center (QMAC) - Facilitated clinical team projects in qualitative analysis and data dissemination processes.
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Bezos Academy
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United States
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Education Administration Programs
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200 - 300 Employee
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Policy Research Fellow
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May 2022 - Sep 2022
Catalogued, analyzed data and provided recommendations on state-by-state early childhood quality rating and improvement systems, subsidy programs, and assessment requirements. Catalogued, analyzed data and provided recommendations on state-by-state early childhood quality rating and improvement systems, subsidy programs, and assessment requirements.
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StrivePartnership
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United States
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Civic and Social Organizations
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Early Learning Success
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Jan 2019 - Jun 2020
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American Montessori Society
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United States
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Education Administration Programs
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1 - 100 Employee
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Director of Conferences & Professional Development at American Montessori Society
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Sep 2017 - Dec 2018
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Learning Grove
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United States
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Non-profit Organizations
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1 - 100 Employee
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Senior Director of Programs
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Jan 2017 - Sep 2017
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Director of Professional Development & Training
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Jul 2013 - Jan 2017
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Greater Cincinnati Center for Montessori Education
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Covington, Kentucky
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Program Director, Teacher Educator
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Sep 2012 - Sep 2017
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American Montessori Society
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United States
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Education Administration Programs
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1 - 100 Employee
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Professional Development Webinar Consultant
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Sep 2015 - Feb 2017
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Education
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2020 - 2024
University of Cincinnati
Doctor of Philosophy - PhD, Education Policy -
2020 - 2022
University of Cincinnati
Master's degree, Educational Leadership and Administration, General -
2005 - 2007
Endicott College
Master of Education (M.Ed.), Early Childhood Education with Montessori Emphasis -
1998 - 2004
University of Cincinnati
Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.), Electronic Media -
Northeast Montessori Institute
AMS Early Childhood Montessori teaching certificate
Community
