For 25 years, Dee Dee Gerber has been a dedicated educator within the School City of Mishawaka. As an English teacher and instructional coach at Mishawaka High School, she brings a deep passion for literature and writing that traces back to her own childhood.
“I’ve always loved reading and writing,” Gerber said. “When I was younger, I used to fill notebooks with long stories. I liked writing poetry, writing stories — just being creative.”
During her early childhood years, Gerber moved between Illinois and Indiana before her family settled in Elkhart when she was in third grade. After graduating from Elkhart Memorial High School, she attended Spring Arbor College (now Spring Arbor University) in Michigan.
“I actually started college as a double biology and chemistry major, but I didn't feel like that was what God was calling me to do,” Gerber said. “I decided to switch it up in the middle of my freshman year. Since English had always been a passion of mine, and I had some really great teachers in high school who inspired me, I switched to an English and secondary education major with a speech minor.”
Gerber’s academic journey took her abroad to Oxford University in England where she studied Medieval and Renaissance architecture and literature.
After college, Gerber returned home to Elkhart, uncertain of her next steps. With her mother working for the School City of Mishawaka, she explored job opportunities within the district. Her first role was in night school, providing instruction and one-on-one tutoring.
“I loved being able to mentor and develop relationships with the kids — to not only make an impact on them educationally and help them graduate high school but to also help them develop grit,” Gerber said. “That experience really helped me develop a passion for teaching.”
After three and a half years, Gerber transitioned into a full-time teaching position — during the regular school day — at Mishawaka High School. With her love of reading and writing, she creates a unique experience in the classroom.
“There’s something about having a teacher who can impart their passion and joy for reading and writing,” Gerber said. “When someone else is enthusiastic, you catch a little bit of that joy and want to explore it more. That’s what I try to bring to my students.”
Beyond the classroom, Gerber also supports fellow teachers as an instructional coach. As she helps others refine strategies and reach their goals, she finds fulfillment in the creativity and collaboration of her role.
“My goal is to encourage, inspire, coach, and comfort when things go wrong and to help them set new goals,” Gerber said. “It’s about developing a growth mindset. When things get hard, you have to celebrate the small victories and look back to see how you can develop a new plan.”
Gerber’s dedication was formally recognized in 2023 when she received the Ivy Tech Community College Excellence in Dual Credit Award .
“I was really humbled by receiving this award,” Gerber said. “It means that what I’m doing is important — that others see the impact I’m making. More than anything, it’s about showing my students that they are worth my time and effort.”
Outside of teaching, Gerber enjoys spending time with her kids, especially playing Minecraft. In her free time, she likes to watch documentaries, read, listen to audiobooks and podcasts, and channel her creativity through her Cricut machine.
Gerber also serves on the Mishawaka-Penn-Harris Public Library board and is currently pursuing a doctorate in curriculum and instruction.
“I love working for Mishawaka High School because everyone is mission-minded and really cares about the kids,” Gerber said. “When you can be part of that kind of organization, it lifts everybody up.”