About Mrs. Palese

As the Middle School Gifted Support Teacher in Mechanicsburg Area School District, I am so proud to say that I have the opportunity over the past 18 years to work with students, parents and teachers in multiple roles, including Elementary and Middle School Gifted Support Teacher, Instructional Coach, MMS musical Director, Wildcat TV Advisor, and MMS Student Council Advisor.  Setting high expectations and watching students and teachers work hard to meet their individual challenges is not only rewarding, but exciting!

I currently live in Mechanicsburg Borough with my husband, Tony and my daughter Anna who works in Marketing/Social Media.  My youngest daughter Abby is currently working at Dollywood as a Stage Manager. Most of my free time is spent directing student musicals both here at MMS and throughout the community.  I also enjoy going camping, catching a movie, and family game night.  Any of my former students will tell you that I am a huge fan of the Harry Potter series.  I also enjoy a good Lego challenge, as I personally own more Legos than I have room for!  Not only are they great teaching tools, they allow me discover new ways to be creative!  I am a huge Disney fan!  As a family, we try to get to Disney World as often as possible.  A family trip to Orlando has become an annual event! 

I have been teaching for over 20 years.  I received my Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from West Chester University and have completed my PA Master's Equivalency with graduate level classes at Wilkes University, and my PA Gifted Ed. Endorsement through Neumann University.  I am certified as both an Elementary (K-6) teacher and a secondary English teacher. I have written several articles on gifted education which have been published in educational journals and magazines.  I  am also a member of the PA Gifted Education (PAGE) association's speaker's bureau and Association of Middle Level Educators (AMLE) and speak on gifted education. I have worked in preschool, taught as an elementary classroom teacher in 5th and 6th grade, and also taught middle school social studies and language arts.  I took a few years off to stay home with my children and returned to teaching as a gifted support teacher.  I also had the opportunity to act as the MMS Instructional Coach for two years, before deciding to return to my true passion, Gifted Education.  I truly love working with the students and Teachers here in Mechanicsburg School District!