Michelle Gilger

Willow Street,PA

Summary

Dedicated Educator & Institutional Leader with 22 years of experience in cultivating high-achieving school cultures through relationship-centered practice. As a current Union Treasurer, former PTO President and Treasurer, and former Head Teacher, I excel at serving as a bridge between all school stakeholders. I combine the fiscal and policy discretion of a union officer, the relational equity of a parent leader, and the operational expertise of a building coordinator to foster a safe, inclusive learning environment. My leadership is rooted in restorative justice; I believe that behavioral challenges are opportunities to teach accountability and strengthen the ties that hold our community together. Adept at de-escalation and collaborative problem-solving, I am committed to providing the front-line support necessary to ensure student success and teacher well-being through a firm, fair, and consistent approach.

Overview

years of professional experience

Work History

Union Treasurer

Lampeter Strasburg Education Association

01.2023 - Current

Strategic Mediation: Act as a key liaison between faculty and district administration, interpreting contract language to resolve complex professional disputes and grievances.
Confidentiality & Discretion: Maintain strict oversight of sensitive member data and financial records, demonstrating the high level of integrity required for administrative roles.
Fiduciary Responsibility: Manage an annual operating budget, ensuring 100% compliance with auditing standards and transparent financial reporting to the Executive Board, maintaining up to date records.

PTO President/Treasurer

Pequea Elementary

01.2020 - 01.2025

Crisis Communication: Acted as a key liaison between the district and 400+ families during the transition back to in-person learning, ensuring parent concerns were addressed with empathy and clarity during the pandemic.
Strategic Partnership: Collaborated with the Principal to fund and implement critical school-wide adaptations including recess infrastructure, assemblies, and incentive programs while navigating significant logistical hurdles. Played a key role in the successful transition back to fully open, in-person operations, leading efforts to restore school climate and revitalize community connection.
Consensus Building: Managed a diverse executive board, administrative initiatives, and parents input in decision making and planning of events.

Head Teacher

Lampeter Elementary

01.2013 - 01.2017

Logistics & Safety: Engineered and managed school-wide bus arrival/dismissal schedules for K-2 building, ensuring 100% accountability and student safety during high-traffic transitions.
School Culture Leadership: Designed and facilitated whole-school assemblies, establishing consistent behavioral expectations and building a unified school identity.
Committee Development: Founded and chaired school-wide committees (Safety Committee, Social Committee, Technology Committee, etc.), leading diverse teams of educators to implement new school-wide initiatives per administrative vision.
Operational Leadership: Maintained school-wide safety and order by facilitating real-time behavioral interventions for bus and transition-period incidents, serving as the lead operational liaison during administrative absences.

Education

Master in Arts of Education -

Eastern Mennonite University

Bachelor of Science in Education - K-6

Millersville University

Skills

Operational Leadership: Experience in school-wide system coordination, including scheduling, transportation safety, and high-stakes transition management

Conflict Mediation: Skilled in de-escalating intense student/parent interactions through restorative practices and objective, data-driven resolution
Policy & Fiduciary Oversight: Deep expertise in contract interpretation, budget auditing, and school policy enforcement with total discretion

Staff & Peer Mentorship: Proven ability to build collaborative relationships and support colleagues in maintaining consistent, high-level behavioral standards
Culture & Climate Strategy: Experienced in authoring school-wide initiatives and assembly outlines that foster unity, accountability, and student belonging
Crisis & Incident Management: Decisive leader capable of stepping into operational roles to stabilize building emergencies or complex student incidents

Timeline