Heather Elaine Gerker

Heather Gerker is an educational researcher with a passion for connecting people and ideas, facilitating meaningful learning experiences, and supporting others in their professional growth to inspire positive change. She is all about making spaces more inclusive and pushing for educational equity by bringing communities together, diving into research, and leading with collaboration. Dr. Gerker's work is fueled by a deep sense of justice, empathy, and a commitment to amplifying underrepresented voices.

Master's Degree: Endicott College Massachusetts, 2007 (Early Childhood Education)

Bachelor of Fine Arts : University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, OH, 2004 (Electronic Media)

Early Childhood Montessori Teaching Credential: Northeast Montessori Institute Boston, MA, 2007 (Montessori early childhood education)

Master's Degree: University of Cincinnati 2022 (Educational Leadership)

Ph.D.: University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, 2024 (Educational Policy & Higher Education)

07-01-2021 -06-01-2024 Shared Presence Foundation Understanding Early Educational Experiences of Adults with Demonstrated Entrepreneurial Tendencies Role:Research Associate $367,825 Completed Type:Grant

05-01-2019 -06-01-2024 Brady Foundation Developing an Observation Instrument for Montessori Practices Role:Research Associate $39,659 Completed Type:Grant

Investigators:Gerker, H. E. 02-01-2022 -06-30-2022 American Montessori Society Research Mini-Grant Examining the Relationship Between Educational Policies and the Montessori Pedagogy Role:Primary Investigator $2500 Completed Type:Grant

Investigators:Gerker, H. E. & Raider-Roth, M. 01-01-2022 -06-30-2022 College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services Equity & Inclusion What Do I Do Now? Active Practice in Responding to Racist Comments in Our Lives Role:Co-Primary Investigator $1500 Completed Type:Grant

Investigators:Copeland, K. 01-01-2020 -12-30-2022 Robert Woods Johnson Foundation, Equity-Focused Equity through co-design and quality improvement: Identifying and testing solutions to early care and education enrollment barriers in Cincinnati. Role:Research Associate $250,000. Completed Type:Grant

Peer Reviewed Publications

Gerker, H.E. (2023. ) Making Sense of Montessori Teacher Identity, Montessori Pedagogy, and Educational Policies in Public Schools.Journal of Montessori Research, , 9 (1 ) , More Information

Copeland, K. A., King, A., Ladipo, J., Bennet, D., Amsterdam, A., White, C., Gerker, H. E., &, Karbeah, J. (2024. ) Barriers to early childhood education for black families and calls for equitable solutions from a qualitative study using peer researchers and an antiracist lens. Early Childhood Research Quarterly., ,

Murray, A., Murray, A., Daoust, C., & Gerker, H.E. Developing a tool to evaluate early childhood education implementation fidelity: Measure of Montessori implementation pilot study results. .Assessment, Testing and Applied Measurement., ,

Gerker, H. E.; Amsterdam, S.; King, A.; Ladipo, J., Bennet, D.; & Copeland, K. A. Community-based participatory research and collective impact: Examining early care and education enrollment systems. .International Review of Qualitative Research., ,

Copeland, K. A., Amsterdam, A., Gerker, H., Bennett, D., Ladipo, J., & King, A. (2025. ) Why is ECE enrollment so complicated? An analysis of barriers and co-created solutions from the frontlines. Early Childhood Research Quarterly, , (71 ) ,12

Other Publications

Gerker, H. (2022. ) The inclusive classroom: Creating a cherished experience through Montessori. .Montessori Life, 33 (4 ) ,49

Gerker, H. E. (2022. ) Prioritizing patriotism. A book review of How to Educate a Citizen: The Power of Shared Knowledge to Unify a Nation. .Democracy and Education, 30 (1 ) ,

Published Books

Gerker, H. & Jones, C. (2024. ) Montessori in Contemporary Culture .American Montessori Society (Co-Editor)

Book Chapter

Gerker, H.; Kadambi, V.; Monnier, D.; & Shenk-Evans, W (2024 ) Advancing access to Montessori education through advocacy Montessori in Contemporary Culture .American Montessori Society (Co-Author)

Poster Presentations

Gerker, H. E. (2024. ) Montessori teachers as advocates .American Montessori Society Conference, Orlando, Florida. . Conference. . Level:International

Gerker, H. E. (2023. ) Montessori pedagogy and policy in public schools: Exploring the challenges and moving toward advocacy [ .American Montessori Society Conference, Boston, MA. . Level:International

Emler, T. E., Murray, A., Gerker, H. E., & Meyer, W. (2025. ) Changing education to foster innovation and passion: Inspiration from young adult entrepreneurs .AERA, Denver. . Level:National

Gerker, H. E. (2025. ) The Political efficacy of Montessori educators .American Montessori Society, Denver. .

Emler, T. E., Murray, A., & Gerker, H. E. (2025. ) A critical analysis of a tool for quantitative ethnography .AERA, Denver. . Conference. . Level:National

Paper Presentations

Gerker, H. E. & Kapur, S. (2024. ) Montessori teachers as advocates: Nurturing lifelong advocacy in the Montessori community .St. Louis. Conference. Level:National

Gerker, H. E. (2024. ) Classroom assessment perspectives from Montessori education: A panel discussion of educators from birth to high school .Chicago, IL. Conference. Level:National

Murray, A. K., Daoust, C., Murray, A., & Gerker, H. E. (2024. ) Developing an observational measure of Montessori implementation .Philadelphia, PA. Conference. Level:International

Murray, A. K., Daoust, C. J., Gerker, H. E., Murray, A., & Wang, J. (2025. ) Piloting the measure of Montessori implementation observation tool for early childhood classrooms .Denver. Conference. Level:National

Gerker, H. E. (2025. ) “Why aren’t we speaking up?” A mixed methods study on the political efficacy and advocacy engagement of Montessori .Denver. Conference. Level:National

Murray, A. K., Daoust, C. J., Gerker, H. E., Murray, A (2025. ) Relationship between Early Childhood Montessori Teacher Math Beliefs & Confidence and Classroom Environment .Denver. Conference. Level:National

Gerker, H. E. & Yerrington, E. (2025. ) Bringing research to life: From formulating questions to sharing insights .Denver. Conference. Level:International