ADMINISTRATION
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Dr. Faye Janine Pleso, CEO/Principal
Dr. Pleso has been CEO/Principal of GMCS since July 2015. Her professional experiences include being a Head of School, an elementary teacher (in the 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. She also has a PA Superintendent Letter of Eligibility. fayepleso@gettysburgmontessoricharter.org |
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Mrs. Tammy Hogan, Assistant Principal
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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 |
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Mrs. Nicole Wilt, 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 |
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Mr. Anthony Spack, Guidance Counselor
Mr. Spack spent 21 years in the United States Air Force. During that time, he traveled to several countries and several different states as well. He also had the pleasure of working with many people from different places throughout the United States. After retiring from the Air Force, he worked as a Therapeutic Staff Support with T.W. Ponessa Counseling and Associates. He worked primarily with elementary students at Hillside Elementary School. After working as a Therapeutic Staff Support, he resigned to pursue my Master’s in Education in School Counseling. During my studies, he completed internships in Elementary, Middle and High School settings. aspack@gettysburgmontessoricharter.org |
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Ms. Leslie Zimmerman, School Nurse
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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 |
CLASSROOM TEACHERS
KINDERGARTEN TEAM
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Mrs. Emily Fleurant, Teacher (Kindergarten)
Mrs. Fleurant recently relocated to Pennsylvania after getting married in April. Mrs. Fleurant graduated Cum Laude from Messiah University with a BS in Early Childhood Education with a focus in TESOL. Before G.M.C.S., Mrs. Fleurant taught at a private school in Connecticut for two years. She taught a year of kindergarten and a year of First Grade during that time. Mrs. Fleurant is thrilled to be teaching kindergarten at G.M.C.S. When she is not teaching, she likes spending time with her husband and friends, traveling, cooking, and crafting. efleurant@gettysburgmontessoricharter.org |
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Mrs. Peg Middaugh, Mrs. Fleurant Teacher's Assistant (Kindergarten)
Peg Middaugh graduated from Averett College in Danville Virginia with an associates degree in Business Administration. She started at Gettysburg Montessori Charter as a cafeteria aide in April 2017. This year she was given the opportunity to become a teachers aide for kindergarten. She enjoy reading, gardening and knitting. Her favorite pastime is spending time with my family. pmiddaugh@gettysburgmontessoricharter.org |
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Mrs. Brittany Lawrence, Teacher (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, Mrs. Lawrence 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 |
1/2 GRADE TEAM
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Mrs. Jamie Needham, Teacher (Grades 1-2)
Mrs. Needham is a 2002 graduate from York College of PA with a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education with a concentration in Mathematics. She is excited to join GMCS for the 2021-2022 school year. Mrs. Needham previously taught Pre-K for 10 years. When not teaching, Mrs. Needham enjoys spending time with her husband and 3 boys, reading, watching sports, and going to yard sales. jneedham@gettysburgmontessoricharter.org |
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Mrs. Danielle Spencer, Mrs. Needham Teacher's Assistant (Grades 1-2)
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Mrs. Hope Lansford, Teacher (Grades 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 her 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 |
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Mrs. Lauren Auchey, Mrs. Lansford Teacher's Assistant (Grades 1-2)
Mrs. Auchey joined GMCS in January of 2017 as a 3rd/4th grade teacher's assistant and transitioned to 1st/2nd grade in 2020. She has been working in education for over 15 years. Mrs. Auchey 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, camping, and drawing. lauchey@gettysburgmontessoricharter.org |
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Miss Olivia Stowman, Teacher (Grades 1-2)
Miss Stowman started as a 1st/2nd grade teacher in August 2021 with GMCS. She recently graduated from York College of Pennsylvania with a degree in Early Childhood Education. Miss Stowman previously worked as a preschool teacher at Kidz Quarterz Childcare Center and has been working with children for over a decade. When she is not in school, she is hanging out with her dog, Daisy Mae, and of course, her Fiancé. She loves plants, naps and almost any kind of snack! ostowman@gettysburgmontessoricharter.org |
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Mrs. Kristine Gelazela, Ms. Stowman Teacher’s Assistant (Grades 1-2)
Mrs. Gelazela started with GMCS as a substitute teacher in 2019. 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 |
3/4 GRADE TEAM
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Ms. Heather Dohler, Teacher (Grades 3-4)
Ms. Heather Dohler started her first year with us as our 3/4 Grade ELA teacher for the 2020-2021 School Year. She has a Bachelors in Elementary Education/Special Education from Mount St. Mary'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 |
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Ms. Elene Espionza, Ms. Dohler Teacher's Assistant (Grades 3-4)
Eespionza@gettysburgmontessoricharter.org |
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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 many 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 fourth grade classes. She enjoys reading, gardening and spending time with her family in her spare time. kbechtel@gettysburgmontessoricharter.org |
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Mrs. Terri Sanders, Mrs. Bechtel Teacher's Assistant (Grades 3-4)
Terri started working at Gettysburg Montessori Charter School September 2020. She is a graduate of Wilson College Teacher Intern Program and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Zoology from the University of Florida. She has been in the education field for 10 years as a teacher’s aide and then a teacher at local school districts. Before her education career, she worked as a veterinary technician for 15 years. She enjoys spending time with her family, watching her son play the drums in his band, watching her daughter ride horses and taking walks with her husband and dog. tsanders@gettysburgmontessoricharter.org |
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Mrs. April Taylor, Teacher (Grades 3-4)
Mrs. Taylor has been an educator for many 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 |
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Mrs. Jamie Farris, Mrs. Taylor Teacher's Assistant (Grades 3-4)
Jamie Farris started at GMCS 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. They love to travel, cook and be adventurous. jfarris@gettysburgmontessoricharter.org |
5/6 GRADE TEAM
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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. Mrs. Sauter looks forward to working another year with the students and faculty of the GMCS. katie@gettysburgmontessoricharter.org |
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Mrs. Shonna Smith, Mrs. Sauter Teacher's Assistant (Grades 5-6)
Mrs. 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 |
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Mrs. Nicole Gulden, Teacher (Grades 5-6)
Mrs. Gulden is a 2012 graduate of Millersville University. While there, she studied Elementary Education and Early Childhood Education. She joined the GMCS team in the fall of 2012. Mrs. Gulden completed her Masters studies in Reading and Literacy in 2017. In her free time, Mrs. Gulden loves to curl up with a good book and spend time with her family and friends. ngulden@gettysburgmontessoricharter.org |
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Mrs. Heather Beckelman, Teacher's Assistant (Grades 5-6)
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Ms. Chelsy Rodgers, Mrs. Gulden Teacher's Assistant (Grades 5-6)
Ms. 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 |
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Specials Teachers
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Mrs. Erica Swiger, Art Teacher
Mrs. Swiger graduated from Shippensburg University in 2012. She has a BA in Fine Arts and an Art K-12 teacher certificate. She was a substitute teacher for four years in several counties in PA. For two of those years, she worked various long term positions in Bermudian Springs School District, one of which was elementary art teacher for the 2016-2017 school year. When Mrs. 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, watch old movies, collect antiques and spend time with her friends, family, her cat, Sibby and her snake, Cooper. eswiger@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 is currently in the Teacher Intern Program at Susquehanna University. 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 Elementary Library at Upper Adams School District at the start of the 2018-2019 school year. Mr. Swiger also teaches with the Biglerville Marching Band and Biglerville Indoor Drumline programs ever since 2012. He has also marched in drum corps with the Raiders Drum and Bugle Corps from Princeton, NJ and the Reading Buccaneers Drum and Bugle Corps from Reading, PA. He currently teaches with the Raiders Drum and Bugle Corps. In his spare time he likes to play, listen, and write music. He also likes to draw and paint. He also likes to spend time with his friends, family, and his cat, Twiggy. qswiger@gettysburgmontessoricharter.org |
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Mrs. Courtney Seitz, Wellness Teacher
Mrs. Seitz graduated from Shippensburg University with a Bachelor's Degree in Early Childhood Education. Before coming to Gettysburg Montessori, she was a building substitute teacher at the Big Spring School District, as well as a substitute teacher in the Hershey, Shippensburg, and South Middleton School Districts. In her spare time she enjoys reading mystery books, going to street do shows, and spending time with her family. cseitz@gettysburgmontessoricharter.org |
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Mrs. Emily Windover, Librarian
Mrs. Windover started as the Librarian at GMCS in the fall of 2021. Before working here she was a Children’s Specialist at the Gettysburg Branch of the Adams County Library System. She studied at Hampshire College in MA, and the Dell’Arte International School of Theatre in Blue Lake, CA. She was the director of The Greylock Theatre Project, an outreach program for local youth, at the Williamstown Theatre Festival in Massachusetts and also ran Art Shop - an afterschool art program in Juneau, Alaska. She loves to travel and read. Her favorite children’s book is Charlotte’s Web. ewindover@gettysburgmontessoricharter.org |
Special Education
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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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Mrs. Melanie Kansagra , RTII Support (Math)
Mrs. Kansagra started with GMCS in October 2019 as our RTI Math support teacher. She received a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education in 2003. She also received her master’s degree in Early Childhood Literacy in 2009. Before working for GMCS, Mrs. Kansagra was a Title I teacher for the Mount Union Area School District for eight years. Recently, she was a stay-at-home mom when her children were young. Mrs. Kansagra lives in Gettysburg with her husband and two sons. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening, baking, and reading. mkansagra@gettysburgmontessoricharter.org |
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Mrs. Julie Ralicki, Special Education
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Mrs. Brittney Perri, (RTI)
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Ms. Jeanette Backus, (RTI)
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Ms. Shamin Jegan, (RTI)
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Personal Care Assistants
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Danielle Sunderland
Mrs. Sunderland comes to us with a diverse background. In 1996, she earned a bachelor’s degree with a Magna cum Laude distinction in Psychology. She went on to obtain a master’s degree with honors from McDaniel College in School Counseling in 1999. Danielle has worked in different capacities with children and families as a TSS, Mobile Therapist, and Behavioral Specialist Consultant at Wellspan-Philhaven. In 2003, she obtained a Pennsylvania State Certificate in School Counseling after completing an internship at Spring Grove Intermediate School. She considers herself a life-long learner and is currently pursuing a post-graduate certificate in Play Therapy. Danielle is always seeking new and innovative ways to enhance her knowledge base and refine her skills to effectively help students. Her compassion and dedication to her field are rooted in her genuine desire to help others achieve their very best. She ascribes to a strength-based approach which was cultivated while working as a supervisor for “The Healthy Families Program” in New York. With her team, she provided early intervention services to at-risk families. In 2016, Danielle worked in the York City School District with Pennsylvania Counseling Services, where she provided outpatient therapy to students enrolled in the Cornerstone Academy, at William Penn Senior High School. This past year and a half, Danielle spent her time providing home-based instruction for her two school-aged children. She is very excited to get back into the classroom! |
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Amber Shank
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Cafeteria
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Tanya Stevens, Cafeteria Aide
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Ms. Sara Lehigh, Cafeteria Aide
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Stacey Fazenbaker, Cafeteria Aide
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