UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN River Falls

Faculty and Staff

Molly Gerrish

Molly Gerrish

Molly Gerrish

Professor, Teacher Education
member of graduate faculty

Start Year: 2006

Teacher Education
Office: 259 Wyman Teacher Education Bldg
Phone: 715-425-3510

Email: molly.gerrish@uwrf.edu

Other Titles:

Early Childhood Program Coordinator
Academic Program Director - Early Childhood Degree Completion Program
Director   Undergraduate Research, Scholarly & Creative Activity (URSCA)

Education:

Ph.D. Early Childhood Education 2014
Master of Science in Education, 2001
Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders/ Early Childhood Education, 1996
*New Mexico State Exchange Program 1996

Courses Taught:

TED 225 Developmental Learning
TED 301- Early Childhood Methods
TED 326 Place-Based Science
TED 326 Place-Based Science- Scotland Study Tour
TED 329 Nature through Inquiry
TED 330 Infant/Toddler Programs
TED 332 Preschool Curriculum
TED 345 Parent Education and Family Development
TED 389 Supporting social/emotional development through nature experiences
TED 400 Supervision and Management of Early Childhood Programs
TED 410 Early Childhood Language Arts
TED 708 Preschool and Kindergarten Curriculum and Materials

Professional Affiliations:

Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI)
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
National Association of Early Childhood Teacher Educators (NAECTE)
The North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE)
The Teacher Educator Network for Environmental Education (TENFEE)
Wisconsin Association for the Education of Young Children (WECA)

Professional Activities:

Advisor- Early Years Enthusiasts (EYE) student organization; SURSCA
Executive Board Member- United Way Success by Six
Experience China 2017 Faculty Member
Editorial Board Family First Publication
Pierce-St. Croix County CARES coalition
Proceedings Reviewer- National Conferences on Undergraduate Research
Student/Faculty Undergraduate Research Faculty Mentor
Sustainability Faculty Fellows- University of Wisconsin-River Falls
Career Readiness Faculty Fellows
St. Croix Early Childhood Interagency Council
Scotland Summer Study Tour Leader 2016
Athletic Committee
Honors Program Steering Committee
Experience China Advisory Board
First Thousand Days Advisory Board
Northwoods Tech Advisory Board
Hennepin Tech Advisory Board

Research Interests:

Nature-Based Teaching; Risk Assessment and Risky Play
Inquiry -Based Learning; Experiential Learning
Adverse Childhood Experiences/Influence on Development and Learning Social/Emotional Development/Mindfulness in Education Early Intervention; School "Readiness"
Nature-Integrated Environments; Sustainability in EC Programs
Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum
Communication Patterns of young children and parents/teachers; Parent and Family Education
Early Childhood Teacher Educators (males, degree completion patterns, influence of education on job opportunities and retention)

Professional Awards:

2020 Outstanding Faculty Member of the Year Award for the College of Education and Professional Studies
2013 Outstanding Faculty Member of the Year Award for the College of Education and Professional Studies
2014 Opening Minds USA Innovation in Education Award Finalist
2016 First Annual Distinguished Teaching Award for the College of Education and Professional Studies (awarded by the UWRF Student Senate)

International/National Presentations: China, Scotland, Vancouver, Costa Rica, Panama, New Zealand, Australia, Ireland, Washington, Los Angeles, Anaheim, Nashville, Chicago, Florida, Georgia, California, Austin, Dallas


Publications :

Gerrish, M. (2023) Exchange. Actionable Strategies for Recruitment.

Gerrish, M. (2022) New Insights Into Emotional Intelligence. An Examination of the Social and Emotional Competence and the State of Mental Health of College Students, Specifically during the COVID-19 Pandemic. ISBN 978-1-80355-985-8

Gerrish, M. (2021). Exchange. Preparing Teachers to Support Children’s Nature Exploration.

Gerrish, M. (2017) Environmental Education Activities for Preservice Teachers in Wisconsin Editors: Franzen, R. L., Ashmann, S., Beeth, M. E., Russell, C. T., Rydberg, V. and Schiebel, A.

Gerrish, M. (2019) Beyond the Gates- Connectedness and the Possibility of Place (book chapter,) in progress. Claire Warden & Fargher, Pademelon Press.

Gerrish, M. (2013). Problem Solving Skills: A necessary skill for school and life success. Walden University Early Childhood Organization News.  

Gerrish, M. (2013). Intentional teaching and nature: benefits for early childhood educators. Wonder/Exchange Magazine, Nature Action Collaborative for Children (NACC).  

Gerrish, M. (2012). Connecting your kids to humanity’s greatest teacher. RestoreHealing.com

Gerrish, M. (2011). Needs versus wants: teaching our children to be mindful consumers with an attitude of gratitude. Family First, Winter Issue, 2011.

Gerrish, M. (2011). 1, 2, 3 Go! Scavenger hunts encourage learning. Teaching Young Children, TYC, 4(4), 21-24.

Gerrish, M. (2010). Incorporating literacy and play into visual and fine motor development. Family First, Winter Issue, 2010.

Gerrish, M., Brant, M. & Wright, R. (2010). Winter Activities for young children and families. Family First, Winter Issue, 2010.

Gerrish, M. (2010). Powerful Influences. Family First, Fall Issue, 2010.

Gerrish, M. & Weber, D.  (2009). The Work of Childhood. Family First, Fall Issue, 2009.

Gerrish, M. (2009). Nurture Your Child’s Abilities. Family First, Spring Issue, 2009.

Gerrish, M. (2008). Reconnecting Families with Nature. Family First, Winter Issue, 2008.

Gerrish, M & Klanderman, H. TV Viewing for Families. Family First, Winter Issue, 2008.