Faculty and Staff
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Dr. Faye Janine Pleso, CEO/Principal Some of Dr. Pleso's experiences include being a Head of School, an elementary teacher (in U.S. and in Honduras), a manager of a mental health organization, a TSS, a regional beauty advisor trainer for the corporate office of Avon, and an owner/operator of an antique shop. She has a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Youngstown State University, a Master's degree in Education Administration/Leadership from Jones International University, and a Ph.D. in Public Policy Administration and International Non-Governmental Organizations from Walden University. In her spare time, she participates in living history events of many time periods, including Empire, U.S. Civil War, and WW2. She loves to travel throughout the U.S. and abroad. She also enjoys activities for health and fitness including walking many miles a day in the Gettysburg National Military Park. |
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Mrs. Leigh Gugliette, Administrative Assistant Mrs. Gugliette has been working as an administrative assistance for over 15 years. Before coming to GMCS in 2010, she worked at PA Counseling Services. Mrs. Gugliette enjoys people and loves helping make the school days at GMCS enjoyable for children. She lives in Spring Grove with her husband and her daughter and enjoys exploring paranormal activity, visits to the beach, creative art and spending time with her family. gettysburgmontessori@gmail.com Ms. Megan Freeman-Parks, Executive Assistant Ms, Megan Freeman-Parks is the Executive Assistant to the CEO/Principal Dr. Pleso. She completes many tasks to ensure the school runs smoothly. She has been working in school and daycare settings for over 15 years. Mrs. Parks likes to spend time with her family, especially a family movie night or a long drive to a new place. Mrs. Parks has two huskies named Seri and Stella. MParks@gettysburgmontessoricharter.org Mrs. Chrissy Donahue, Teacher (Kindergarten) Mrs. Donahue started working at Gettysburg Montessori Charter School in August 2020. Before coming to GMCS, she taught for ten years in a private school near Philadelphia. She was also a pre-school teacher at Immaculate Conception, director and teacher at St. Joseph Academy Pre-School, and a substitute teacher at Bermudian Springs. She has over fourteen years teaching experience and earned a BA and MA in Education at Villanova University. When Mrs. Donahue is not in the classroom, she loves spending time with her husband and three children. She enjoys gardening, boating, the beach, the pool and hopes to get a dog again soon. She will also be busy with Montessori training. |
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Mrs. Brittany (See) Lawrence, Teacher-Primary (Kindergarten) Mrs. Lawrence has been teaching at Gettysburg Montessori since 2013. Mrs. Lawrence is a graduate of Shippensburg University with a degree in Elementary Education and concentration in Reading. She also holds her International Montessori Teaching Diploma that she earned from the North American Montessori Center. In her free time Mrs. Lawrence enjoys reading, baking and spending time with her family. brittany@gettysburgmontessoricharter.org |
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Mrs. Ann Zapf (Wright), Teacher's Assistant (Kindergarten) Mrs. Zapf is a graduate of McCann School of Business and Technology with an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and is certified by the American Heart Association in First Aid, CPR, and AED. Ann has been a teacher’s assistant with GMCS since 2014. In her free time she enjoys kayaking, biking, gardening, camping, and spending time with family and friends. ann@gettysburgmontessoricharter.org |
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Mr. Evan Stare, Teacher (Grades 1-2) Mr. Stare has been with Gettysburg Montessori Charter School since 2014. Mr. Stare graduated Cum Laude from Eastern University and holds a BS in Early Education. Before coming to G.M.C.S. Mr. Stare worked at non-profits with school age children. He attributes his ability to communicate with his students and parents effectively to his time spent there. Mr. Stare has been working with kids for over 10 years and he enjoys working with and learning about them daily. When Mr. Stare isn't in the classroom he enjoys reading, watching movies, or spending time with his family and friends. evan@gettysburgmontessoricharter.org |
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Mrs. Lauren Auchey, Teacher's Assistant (Grades 3-4) Mrs. Auchey graduated from Consolidated Business in 2001 with an Associates Degree in Business Administration. After acquiring her first job in child care, she quickly realized this is where she belongs. She feels great pride and accomplishment watching children learn and grow. She has been in the education field for 15 years. She has worked with all ages and with different organizations, including the YWCA of Hanover. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her husband, son and extended family. She also enjoys, running, hiking and drawing. |
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Mrs. Megan Stough, Teacher (Grades 3-4) Mrs. Stough has been with Gettysburg Montessori since 2010. She is a graduate of Shippensburg University, where she studied Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education.When Mrs. Stough is not teaching, she enjoys reading, playing tennis, spending time with her family and watching football. megan@gettysburgmontessoricharter.org |
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Mrs. Katie Sauter, Teacher (Grades 5-6) Graduating in 2009 from Shippensburg University, Mrs. Sauter holds a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in Special Education. Throughout the past three years, she has been a substitute teacher in local districts, including the Gettysburg Montessori Charter School. Miss Jarvis looks forward to working another year with the students and faculty of the GMCS! katie@gettysburgmontessoricharter.org |
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Miss Jess Speelman, Teacher Assistant (Grades 5-6) Miss. Speelman has an Associates in Early Childhood Education and working towards her Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Special Education. She enjoys the outdoors, camping and hiking, Her competitive edge keeps her class intrigued. She enjoys spending her spare time with her friends and family as well as her beloved three legged dog named Roxy. jspeelman@gettysburgmontessoricharter.org |
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Mrs. Nicole Gulden, Teacher (Grades 5-6) Mrs. Gulden is a graduate of Millersville University. While there, she studied Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education. She joined the GMCS team in the fall of 2012. Before joining the team she completed two long term substitute positions: one in the Gettysburg School District and one for our own Mrs. Jan! She also tutored and lead summer academies at Enlightened Learning Center. In her free time, Ms. Rickell loves to curl up with a good book or spend time with her family and friends. ngulden@gettysburgmontessoricharter.org Mrs. April Taylor, Teacher (Grades 3-4) April Taylor is new to Gettysburg Montessori but has been an educator for 5 years. She is a graduate of Fort Hays State University, where she studied Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education. Outside of school, she enjoys reading, gardening, and camping with her family. Jamie Farris, Teacher Assistant (Grades 3-4) Jamie Farris started at GMCS last year as a PCA. She has earned a Bachelor's degree from the University of Phoenix. Previously she worked at a private school in MD for over 10 years. She has experience as a K3-K4 teacher and aide. She worked all of their summer youth camps as well. Jamie and her husband Bill have a son Zek that graduates from Biglerville HS this year. They love to travel, cook and be adventurous! |
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Mrs. Keri Bechtel, Teacher (Grades 3-4) Mrs. Bechtel is a 2012 graduate from Shippensburg University with a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education. She holds teaching certifications in both Maryland and Pennsylvania. She has been a valuable team member with GMCS for three years beginning in our first and second grade classes as an assistant teacher. The following year she taught in our third and fourth grade class as a long term substitute lead teacher. She now teaches one of our third fouth grade classes! She enjoys reading, gardening and spending time with her family in her spare time! kbechtel@gettysburgmontessoricharter.org |
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Mr. Quaid Swiger, Music Teacher Mr. Swiger graduated from York College of Pennsylvania in 2016 with a Bachelors of Arts in Music. He was a substitute teacher for 3 years at several school districts in Adams County and here at Gettysburg Montessori. He was a long term substitute teacher for Library at Upper Adams School District at the start of the 2018-2019 school year. He was the Music Teacher at Montessori Academy of Chambersburg for the 2019-2020 school year. Mr. Swiger also teaches with the Biglerville Marching Band and Biglerville Indoor Drumline programs since 2012. In his spare time he likes to play and listen to music. He also likes to draw and paint. Mr. Swiger is also a composer. He writes music for ensembles to perform. He likes to spend time with his friends, family, and his cat, Twiggy. qswiger@gettysburgmontessoricharter.org |
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Miss Erica Swiger, Art Teacher Miss Swiger graduated from Shippensburg University in 2012. She has a BA in Fine Arts and an Art K-12 teacher certificate. She has been a substitute teacher for four years in several counties in PA. She has had a long term position as a 5th grade teacher, teaching Math, Social Studies and Guided Reading at Bermudian Springs Middle School and was an elementary Art teacher at Bermudian Springs Elementary School for the 2016-2017 school year. When Miss Swiger isn't teaching, she works as a part-time photographer and she does Genealogy research for her own family and for other people. She also likes to draw, paint, cook, listen to music, watch movies, collect antiques and spend time with her friends, family, her cat, Twiggy and her snake, Cooper. eswiger@gettysburgmontessoricharter.org |
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Ms. Becky Black, Special Education Coordinator Mrs. Black earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education at York College of Pennsylvania, and later went on to earn her Special Education Certificate through Immaculata University. Mrs. Black recently worked with Manito, Inc. in a program located in the Eastern York School District for a few years. She also has had the opportunity to work for FEMA as a disaster case manager. Mrs. Black lives in the Gettysburg area with her husband and son. In her free time, Mrs. Black is a leader for the Adams County 4-H Sheep Club and enjoys cooking, baking, basketry and reading. becky@gettysburgmontessoricharter.org |
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Ms. Loren Householder, RTII Specialist (Reading) Ms. Householder is a 2012 graduate of Shippensburg University and holds a B.S. in Elementary Education, with a minor in reading. She has had the opportunity to work with children in a variety of settings and job opportunities since high school. Ms. Householder enjoys hiking, reading, watching movies, crafts, and spending time with her family and dog Ruger. loren@gettysburgmontessoricharter.org |
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Miss Felicetti, Guidance Counselor Miss Felicetti is our new school counselor and this is her first year with GMCS. She graduated from West Chester University with her Master’s in Elementary and Secondary School Counseling. Miss Felicetti has worked in a variety of educational settings including elementary, secondary, and clinical counseling. During her time at West Chester, she was a member of Alpha Xi Delta and other campus activities. She has also worked for the Milton Hershey School in their year-round experiences program. When Miss Felicetti is not working she enjoys spending time with her family, reading, baking and spending time outdoors. cfelicetti@gettysburgmontessoricharter.org |
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Ms. Adrian Kavanaugh, School Nurse Nurse Adrian earned a Master’s of Science in Nursing and Nurse Educator Specialist from Thomas Edison State University, Trenton, NJ. She joined the GMCS family in 2016. Adrian has over twenty years’ experience in health care, primarily as an Operating Room Nurse. For her transition to school nursing, she worked at Capital Camps in Blue Ridge Summit, PA. Nurse Adrian describes her time there as 'boot camp… no, seal training.' She concludes, "The experience was very valuable. I gained practical skills, tips, and tricks in caring for children." Nurse Adrian lives in Fairfield, Pa on a Certified Wildlife Area. She delights in watching and providing for birds, deer, and other animals. She loves to travel, hike, play games, and entertain. akavanaugh@gettysburgmontessoricharter.org |
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Mrs. Rita Egloff, Food Services Mrs. Rita helps organize our cafeteria staff as well as greeting our students with a smile each day! She creates beautiful lunch menus to help keep parents and teachers apprise of our daily lunch and breakfast choices. Mrs. Rita lives on a farm with many remarkable birds and animals. She enjoys spending time with her friends and family on the weekends! regloff@gettysburgmontessoricharter.org |
Mrs. Peg Middaugh, Food Services
Mrs. Peg helps in our school cafeteria providing a well balanced nutritional meal for lunch each day! She helps keep kitchen operations organized and greets each student with a smile! In her spare time, Mrs. Peg loves to snuggle up with a good book!
