Bernd Ferner, EdD, is a professor of practice in the Leadership, Learning, and Counseling Department. He received his doctorate as well as his MS in Curriculum and Instruction from Portland State University. Dr. Ferner specializes in world language pedagogy, dual language immersion education in secondary schools, elementary mathematics methods, curriculum development, and culturally sustaining pedagogy. He teaches courses on reflective practice, curriculum theories, action research, and world language methods. Dr. Ferner considers creating strong relationships with and among students a key element in creating a safe and inclusive learning environment. He utilizes his teaching experience in public and private K-12 schools in the U.S. and his home country, Germany, in his work as the Director of Professional Learning and Leadership, and the MA/MS in Curriculum and Instruction Program.
Dr. Ferner serves as the Oregon-Washington chapter president of the National Association for Multicultural Education (NAME). He is a past president of the Confederation of Oregon for Language Teaching (COFLT). He established and coordinated a German for Adults program and is a co-founder of a German Saturday school here in Portland. In his research, he focuses on teacher candidates’ perceptions of multicultural and multilingual learners and how to best prepare teachers to use culturally sustaining frameworks in their teaching.