Gael Lester, K-5th Grade Assistant Principal

Mrs. Gael Lester received a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Bryn Athyn College in Pennsylvania, and is currently pursuing her Master's degree in Educational Leadership from the American College of Education. She has a wide breadth of teaching experience spanning 12 years and has taught in all grades K-4. She has taught in a variety of educational settings that include the public and private sectors, as well as economically diverse communities, and geographic regions from Colorado, to Pennsylvania, to South Africa. She has taught single grades, multi-grade classes, in multicultural, multilingual, and ethnically diverse classrooms. Mrs. Lester also worked as a Head Administrator for a small private K-8 school before returning to the classroom at Flagstaff Academy.

Mrs. Lester has served at Flagstaff Academy in several roles over the past six years. She started out as a fourth grade teacher, where she served as Team lead for two years and as a mentor teacher. For the past two years, Mrs. Lester has served in two roles at Flagstaff; as an Elementary Interventionist working with struggling students in kindergarten through fifth grades and as the Student Support Team Coordinator. She led a strong Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) program and managed all READ plan actions schoolwide and worked closely with the Special Education department to create a continuum of supports for students needing more intensive interventions.

Mrs. Lester has a lifelong love of learning and believes in laying a strong foundation for students to develop the same. While not teaching, she enjoys performing as a vocalist and hand percussionist in a local band, traveling and exploring foreign cultures, and practicing yoga. Ms. Lester lives with her husband of 24 years, and four children, ages 16 to 20, who are all preparing to spread their wings and leave the nest over the next few years.