Theresa Gilson will step into the role of principal at the Salida Early Childhood Center at the start of the ’23-’24 school year.
Gilson moves into the leadership role currently held by Ilona Witty, who has served the SECC and local families since 1995 and is preparing to step away at the end of this school year.
Theresa, who currently serves as the assistant director at SECC, started her career in education in 2007 as a paraprofessional and a school counseling intern for special education at the Salida Middle School. In 2010, she joined the SECC team as the Early Head Start Program Manager and Assistant Early Childhood Education Director. Since that time, Theresa has worked collaboratively with staff, families, and the community to build a comprehensive birth to five early education system for the Salida School District.
Theresa is deeply committed to a whole child approach that supports families, provides health and nutrition services, and provides high quality, developmentally appropriate early learning experiences. Her passion is ensuring that children and families in our community are prepared for a lifetime of learning.
Theresa has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, a Master of Arts in School Counseling, and numerous child development and school administration courses. She holds a Colorado Large Childcare Center Director’s License and a Colorado Principal’s License.
Theresa and her husband, PJ, are Chaffee County natives and grew up in Buena Vista where her dad retired as principal of Buena Vista High School. Theresa enjoys reading and spending time outdoors with her three children, Brooke and Jackson who are 4th graders at Longfellow Elementary and Huck who attends the Salida Early Childhood Center.
Theresa is excited to continue to work with staff, families, and the community to provide high quality early education to the youngest learners in our District.
