Kristi Hardy-Gilson is from the mid-coast area and attended Camden-Rockport High School. She lives in Lincolnville with her husband Douglas, and has two children, Jaclyn and  Trajan.

Kristi joined CRES in 1991 and began working with families, administrators and colleagues to create the K-2 primary multiage program.  After a 2-year program with the Midcoast-School Leadership Network Kristi pursued her graduate degree at UMO receiving a masters degree in educational leadership.

Credentials: 

• M.S.  Educational Leadership, University of Maine Orono, 2006

• B.S. Elementary Education, University of Maine Farmington, 1990

Awards/Honors:

• Sallie Mae First Year Teacher Award, Sallie Mae Foundation, 1992

Staff and students know me as ‘Ms. Meredith’ and I have been working in education for over 20 years.  I grew up in southern New Hampshire and completed my undergraduate work at Stonehill College and my Masters Degree in Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment through Walden University.  Over the years, I have taught in multiple school districts from Virginia to Maine, working with students in PreK-5th grade.  I have been at CRES for nearly 10 years with the last four working with students in the ‘Pause Place’ while also supporting the CRES community with Social Emotional Learning.  When I am not at school, I soak up as much outdoor time that I can with my family and friends. Hiking is my true passion, but I can also be found boating, skiing, camping, and relaxing by a fire pit. 

I graduated from Camden Hills Regional High School in 2010 prior to graduating from the University of Maine in 2014 with a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. I returned to UMaine (Go Black Bears)  to complete my Master's Degree in Literacy Education in 2019. 

Previously, I worked in another school district teaching Kindergarten before having the opportunity to come back to the Midcoast area in 2015. I have taught 3rd grade, 1st grade, and Title 1 Math Intervention here at CRES before joining the multiage team in 2023. In the classroom, literacy, outdoor education, and PLAY are my areas of strength and passion.  

When I am not in the classroom, I can be found spending as much time outside as possible with my son, husband, and our dog Blue. We enjoy biking, hiking, skiing, and camping together. We can often be found visiting our local libraries, farmer's market, and parks.