Candidate for
School Director; Lower Merion School District

Melissa Gilbert, PhD is an associate professor of geography and urban studies at Temple University where she teaches and conducts research on labor markets, community development and educational impacts of information technologies. She has created university-community partnerships in Philadelphia focused on youth and adult education, college readiness and employment opportunities through community technology centers and year-round educational programs. As a teacher and researcher, Melissa has extensive experience related to curriculum, programming, the achievement gap, and attracting girls and underrepresented minorities into science and technology fields. She lives in Narberth with her husband and two children who attend Belmont Hills Elementary and Main Line Reform Temple Nursery School. Melissa is a homeroom parent as well as active in the HSA.

Qualifications

As a university professor, I know what our children need to be prepared for 21st century universities and beyond. I have created innovative curriculum for high school, undergraduate, and graduate students. I have created university, school, and community partnerships in Philadelphia in order to prepare students for college, give college students hands on learning experiences, and to attract girls and underrepresented minorities to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics fields (STEM).