I have been blessed to be a part of the Sacred School staff for 14 years.  For the majority of those years I have taught kindergarten, but have now taken on the position of Director of Early Childhood Education and Learning.  This job has me working primarily as the Director of our Preschool, as well as working with students and teachers K-2 in the areas of testing and learning plans.  My experience over the last 25 years also includes working as a facilitator in the Parents as Teachers Program and teaching pre-kindergarten in the Washington Public Schools District, as well teaching kindergarten for both Warrenton and Troy Public School Districts.  I hope that by my experience you will see that my heart and soul are firmly anchored in working with young children!  It has been a truly rewarding experience to get to add working in a Catholic school to my educational career.  Getting to bring Jesus' words and examples into young children’s lives has been so rewarding, and added something to my teaching that I didn’t know I was missing until I was given the opportunity! 

My family is so important to me!  My three boys (Sacred Heart graduates!) are the biggest sign of all the hard work my husband and I have put towards raising our family.  Over the years I have looked towards many different Saints to guide me through my family life.  Right now, as I find myself getting to work with so many children and families, the Saint I’m drawn to at the moment is Mother Teresa.  The quote in my office states, “If you want to change the world, go home and love your family.” It’s such a simple statement and so true!  Sacred Heart is my school family, in which I will use all my talents to help it continue to grow and flourish!

Mrs. Melissa Gildehaus 
Director of Early Childhood Learning and Education 
mgildehaus@sacredhearttroy.org