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. Christine Kirkpatrick, Vice Principal Mrs. Christine Kirkpatrick is our new Assistant Principal. She has a Specialist degree, and is currently working on her dissertation towards the completion of her Doctoral degree in Educational Leadership. She began her new role here at GMCS in June, after working with math students this past spring. Mrs. Kirkpatrick has been working in education for over 20 years and is so excited to be part of all the wonderful changes happening this year. As your new assistant principal, she will take an active role in facilitating the day-to-day requirements of instruction and student safety. Mrs. Kirkpatrick helps plan and implement curriculum. She will assist parents, teachers, and students with a variety of concerns, as well as, communicating with community members about the vision of GMCS. She will also be assisting with the new technology initiatives at GMCS. Outside of work, she likes to go antique to shops, cooking, and spending time with her family. ckirkpatrick@gettysburgmontessoricharter.org 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 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. cdonahue@gettysburgmontessoricharter.org |
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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. Hope Lansford, Teacher (Grade 1-2) Mrs. Lansford started as a 1st/2nd grade teacher in August 2019 with GMCS. She previously worked with us as a substitute teacher in Kindergarten and served as an assistant in Mr. Stare's room. Mrs. Lansford obtained my PreK-4 teacher's certification through Wilson College, where she is continuing her studies. When she not teaching she likes reading, drawing, crafting, and camping with her husband, daughter, and two dogs. hlansford@gettysburgmontessoricharter.org 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. lauchey@gettysburgmontessoricharter.org |
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Mrs. Amy Gebhart, Teacher (Grade 1-2) Mrs. Gebhart has been with Gettysburg Montessori Charter School since 2019. Mrs. Gebhart graduated Cum Laude from Eastern University with a BS in Early Childhood Education. Before G.M.C.S., Mrs. Gebhart gained over 10 years’ experience working in childcare centers as a preschool teacher and assistant director. She continued her education last year, gaining her Montessori Teaching Diploma from NAMC in 2020. When not in the classroom environment, Mrs. Gebhart enjoys gardening with her family, antiquing, and traveling. agebhart@gettysburgmontessoricharter.org Mrs. Kristine Gelazela, Teacher’s Assistant (grade 1-2) Mrs. Kristine Gelazela started with GMCS as a substitute teacher in 2019. She is now our 1st and 2nd grade Teacher’s Assistant. She has worked as an assistant in many elementary schools, she worked in a special needs life skilled classroom and was a preschool teacher in a Pre-K class for 2 years. Mrs. Gelzaela loves spending time with her family and going camping. She loves to bird watch as a family and spend her free time swimming and hiking. Kgelazela@gettysburgmontessoricharter.org Mrs. Heather Dohler, Mrs. Heather Dohler started her first year with us as our 3/4 Grade ELA teacher. She has a Bachelors in Elementary Education/Special Education from Mount St. Mary & #39;s University. She enjoys reading, writing, listening to music, watching Eagles football and baking. Coffee is what keeps her running on a daily basis! :) hdohler@gettysburgmontessoricharter.org Mrs. Tiffany Shetter, Teacher’s Assistant (grade 3-4) Mrs. Shetter Started with GMCS in September 2019 as a PCA. She loves working with students. Her last job was an EMT and also part of the Gettysburg Fire Department. Mrs. Shetter hobbies are spending time with her Husband James, 5 Children and 2 granddaughter's. Her Families love game nights, camping, hiking and taking vacations together. Mrs. Shetter and her husband both do a lot for our community with the fire department so if we are not with our family we are with our second family at GFD. 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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Mrs. Shonna Smith, Teachers Assistant (Grade 5-6) Shonna Smith started with us in October 2019. She has a Bachelors degree in Recreation Management, Therapeutic track from Lock Haven University. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, going for walks, DIY projects, spending time with her family, playing music, and working in her garden during the summer. ssmith@gettysburgmontessoricharter.org 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 Ms. Chelsy Rodgers, Teachers Assistant (Grades 5-6) Chelsy Rodgers started with us in August 2019. She will graduate with a Bachelors degree in Human Development and Family Studies in May 2021. She enjoys reading, visiting her family & cabin, and coaching roller derby. She also has a dog, a cat, a bunny, a turtle, and a bunch of fish. She has been playing/coaching roller derby for 10 years. She raised her sister who just started as a freshman at HACC. crodgers@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. ataylor@gettysburgmontessoricharter.org 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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Mr. Alex Ruzbacki, Health and Physical Education Teacher Mr. Alex Ruzbacki is our new Health and Physical Education Teacher, this is his first year with GMCS. He graduated with a Bachelors degree from Slippery Rock University, Health and Physical Education- School Wellness Concentration. When Mr. Ruzbnacki is not working, he loves to play basketball, fish, hike, and spend time with his friends and family. He is originally from the Adirondack Mountains of upstate NY. aruzbacki@gettysburgmontessoricharter.org aruzbacki@gettysburgmontessoricharter.org 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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Mrs. Melanie Kansagra , RTII Support (Math) Mrs. Melanie Kansagra started with GMCS in October 2019 as our RTII Math support teacher. She received a Bachelors degree in Elementary Education in 2003. She also received her Masters degree in Early Childhood Literacy in 2009. Mrs. Kansagra enjoys spending time at home with her husband and two sons, ages 9 and 3. She also enjoys watching her 9-year-old son play his favorite sports, which are football and basketball. mkansagra@gettysburgmontessoricharter.org 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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Ms. Nicole Norris, Front office / Executive Assistant Ms. Nikki is our Front Desk Reception/Executive Assistant. She completes many tasks to ensure the school runs smoothly. She joined our team in October 2020. Before coming to GMCS she worked as a Marketing Specialist for the American Red Cross and volunteered for many years for local sport youth organizations over the past 10 years. Ms. Nikki enjoys people and loves helping make the school days at GMCS run smoothly. Outside of work she loves spending time with her family, going to the beach, and DIY projects. nnorris@gettysburgmontessoricharter.org 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 |
