Dr Gerarda Richards

Biography

Gerarda Richards, a dedicated Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Education at Swinburne University, holds crucial roles as the Professional Experience Academic Lead and the Graduate Teacher Performance Assessment Lead. In these capacities, she diligently oversees and supports Initial Teacher Education (ITE) placements. Collaborating closely with mentor teachers and the broader education community, Gerarda passionately advocates for quality ITE to enhance learning outcomes for young children.

As an accomplished educator and researcher, Gerarda has developed comprehensive course materials for the recently established Graduate Diploma of Early Childhood Teaching (Grad Dip ECT). Her research interests span a wide range of topics within the field of education, including Initial Teacher Education, Early Childhood Education, Teacher Professional Development, Family/Community Partnerships, STEM, Curriculum and Assessment, Indigenous Perspectives, Trauma Informed Pedagogy and Inclusion.

One of Gerarda’s key areas of focus is exploring the pivotal role that families play in children’s educational journeys. By closely examining the dynamics and interactions between families and educational contexts, she seeks to understand the significance of parental involvement and engagement in fostering optimal educational outcomes for young learners.

Beyond her research endeavors, Gerarda’s contributions to the field of “Families and Learning” extend to actively disseminating her findings through research publications and conference participation. She has also established strong collaborative partnerships with diverse stakeholders, including the Victorian Department of Education, Victorian Institute of Teaching, Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership, and Teach Rural. These partnerships facilitate meaningful engagement, knowledge sharing, and collective efforts aimed at enhancing educational practices and promoting positive educational experiences in Initial Teacher Education.