I have always been fascinated by the intersection between teachers’ personal and professional lives. Currently I am using oral history inquiry methods to explore questions about the critical life incidents and learning experiences of teacher elders – those who have retired from long years of work in the schools of Washington State. These elders have much to teach us that may be useful to help us enhance our future teacher education programs and our support to teachers now in the field.
My earlier studies resulted in published articles and books on beginning teacher socialization, teacher mentors, teacher engagement in integrated curriculum development, and teacher leadership. As a result of engagement in several research and training projects, I also have some understanding of school-university partnerships, arts integration in the schools, and educator collaboration with social and health professionals.
In my leisure time I am learning Spanish and bluegrass fiddling. I also work with a non-profit organization tackling problems of homelessness, and with an organization furthering peace initiatives.
Education
Ph.D. Arizona State University, 1976
M.A. Northwestern University
B.S. University of Wisconsin
Publications
Gehrke, N.J. (2002) Reflections on the rocky terrain of admissions. Occasional Paper Number 2 for the Strengthening and Sustaining Teachers Project. Seattle: Institute for Educational Inquiry
Knapp, M., Barnard, K., Gehrke, N. & E.C. Teather (1999) The design of an interprofessional, community-responsive curriculum. Teacher Education Quarterly. V 26, N 4, pp 31-52
Gehrke, N.J. (1998) A look at curriculum integration from the bridge. The Curriculum Journal. V 9, N. 2. Pp 247-260 (Abbrev version in the Japanese Journal of Education, 1998).
Gehrke, N.J. (1997) In Search of the Better School Curriculum. U.S. Office of Research in Education: Blue Ribbon Schools. Washington, D.C.
M. Knapp & Associates (1998) Paths to partnership: University and community as learners and teachers. Baltimore, MD: Rowman & Littlefield
Gehrke, N.J. & N. Romerdahl (1997) Teacher leaders: Making a difference in schools. West Lafayette, Indiana: Kappa Delta Pi
Gehrke, N.J. (1987) On being a teacher. West Lafayette, Indiana: Kappa Delta Pi.
Courses
I teach courses in in-service teacher education, secondary curriculum, integrated curriculum, and oral history methods. In all of these, I like to use project-based learning where students often work in small groups. Recently I served as the host of a UW TV series called "Contextual Teaching & Learning" where such experiential learning was the focus.