Rabia GÜRER GÜRKAN – Senior Child Development Specialist with 40+ Years of Experience

Professional Background

Rabia GÜRER GÜRKAN is a highly respected Child Development Specialist with over four decades of professional experience in early childhood education, parent training, and educational consultancy in human relations. She began her career at the Turkish Ministry of National Education (MEB), where she held a range of roles including teacher, assistant technical manager, assistant manager, vocational student counselor, and family education trainer.

For 20 years, she played a key role in shaping education policies and practices at the national level. She later continued her journey in the private education sector, serving in leadership positions such as school principal, general manager, preschool education specialist, and educational consultant in some of Türkiye’s most reputable educational institutions.

Her career is marked by a deep commitment to innovation, inclusion, and the holistic development of children and families.

International Experience & Projects

Rabia has actively participated in international educational collaborations, including projects supported by the European Union. She proudly represented Türkiye in vocational education programs in the Netherlands, contributing to international dialogue in education reform.

She was also the director of two highly impactful international summer camps:

• Milas Ören International Future Leaders Summer Camp
• “Just Discover” Youth Summer Camp, organized by Mutlu Birey

These programs empowered hundreds of young participants by fostering leadership, critical thinking, and global awareness.

In addition, she created the “Career Days” program, which connected 1,000 students with senior professionals from a wide variety of fields, helping to expand their vision for future careers.

Educational Contributions

Rabia has made significant contributions to curriculum development and teacher training. She designed and implemented the Drama Fundamentals and Drama Development Programs, which were approved and opened for formal training.

Her educational module titled “Children with Chronic Diseases”, developed for the MEB’s METGE Project, was adopted as an official vocational high school textbook and used for many years.

She also served as a guest lecturer at Gazi University, mentoring aspiring educators in teacher practices and pedagogical strategies for two years.

Volunteer Work & Community Engagement

Rabia’s passion for education extends beyond formal institutions. She has given free Mother-Father-Child education seminars—approved by the Ministry of National Education—to over 3,000 parents in the Balgat and Dikmen neighborhoods of Ankara, as well as in the villages of Gölbaşı.

Her ability to reach underserved communities with practical, science-based education exemplifies her lifelong dedication to inclusive development and social responsibility.

Educational Philosophy

Rabia’s professional ethos is guided by the principle that educators are not only transmitters of knowledge, but also shapers of socially responsible individuals. She articulates this belief with clarity:

“While trainers provide scientific knowledge, they must also help people gain the necessary behaviors for social life, guiding them toward becoming responsible global citizens.”

Her training style integrates emotional intelligence, social development, and behavioral education—ensuring that both the child and their environment grow in harmony.

Personal Interests

Beyond her professional pursuits, Rabia is a passionate nature lover. She enjoys:

• Growing natural and organic products
• Digital photography
• Fishing

She is also a proud member of TEMA, a prominent environmental foundation in Türkiye, where she actively supports ecological awareness and sustainability projects.

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Rabia GÜRER GÜRKAN holds degrees in:

• Preschool Teaching (1983)
• Child Development (1995)
  Both from Gazi University, Ankara.

She also holds numerous professional certifications from prestigious institutions, including in-service training in human relations from Başkent University.

With her boundless energy, long-term vision, and love for her profession, Rabia continues to touch the lives of children, families, and educators—one project, one classroom, and one heart at a time.

“Dedicated to touching lives through education since 1984.”
— Rabia GÜRER GÜRKAN