Gulledge
Elementary School
Academic Specialists
Hero Helpers
Counselors
Melissa Puentes
Hi Gulledge Gators! My name is Mrs. Puentes and I am SO excited to be your school counselor again this year! I grew up right here in Plano, TX, and then attended UT Austin (Hook 'Em Horns!) where I received my teaching degree in elementary education. Then I attended SMU where I earned my Masters of Science in Counseling. I taught third & fourth grades here in PISD at Huffman Elementary and Hickey Elementary, before joining the Gulledge family. I feel so lucky to be a part of such a wonderful school community. When I'm not at school, I enjoy traveling to new places, taking my dog Arya for walks, and spending time with my husband Alex and our children, Jesse and Andie.
Chelsea Scoville
PACE
Erica White
My world revolves around my family and friends—they’re everything to me. When I’m not with them, you’ll probably find me lost in a good book.
I joined the Gulledge team in 2001 and have had the joy of teaching both 4th and 5th grade before stepping into my current role as the PACE specialist. Helping students think critically, ask meaningful questions, and challenge themselves is truly my passion. I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of the Gulledge community and to support our learners as they grow and thrive.
Tori Sparswasser
I hold a BS in Interdisciplinary Studies from Texas A&M, and I have 9 years of experience teaching in elementary education, with the past 2 years as a PACE teacher. I also teach PACE at Centennial Elementary, in addition to Gulledge. I am on campus Monday afternoons, and all day on Wednesdays and Fridays, but I am always available to you via email.
Outside of the classroom, I enjoy traveling the world, reading a good book, and completing craft projects. I live in Plano with my husband Kyle and our dog Stella.
I'm thrilled to continue to work with PACE students at Gulledge this year! My goal is to create an environment where learners are challenged, inspired, and empowered to reach their full potential. In my classroom, you'll find a vibrant and well organized space where students are encouraged to take risks, stretch their creativity, explore complex concepts, and collaborate with their peers. I strive to create a supportive and challenging atmosphere where every student feels valued and inspired to excel.
ESL
Pompi Mukherjee
Hello, my name is Pompi Mukherjee, and I am the ESL Specialist on campus.
I have been happily married for 29 years and am proud to be the mother of a son who is a PISD graduate and currently working in the field of finance.
In my free time, I enjoy traveling and discovering new cuisines. An interesting fact about me is that I am a trained Odissi dancer and have a deep passion for classical music and dance.
As the ESL Specialist, I truly enjoy working at Gulledge because it allows me to learn about different cultures and support students as they acclimate to our school community.
Our ESL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) program serves students from a wide variety of countries and language backgrounds who come to the United States. These students share the common goal of becoming active, confident participants in the academic life of a regular classroom. I love how our program is thoughtfully designed to help them develop the English language skills they need for both academic success and meaningful social connections.
Jeemini Lee
I was raised in Plano and graduated from Plano West before I majored in Flute Performance for my Bachelors and Masters Degree from Cincinnati Conservatory and SMU in Dallas. While in school, I began teaching private music lessons and learned that I loved to work with students. I started my teaching career at Gulledge after receiving my teaching certification and have been here ever since!
I began teaching at Gulledge as a 4th grade teacher for 3 years and stepped into the ESL role on this campus. This is my 4th year serving our large ESL population, and it has brought so much joy getting to know so many more students & teachers year after year. I'm so excited to learn with our students and am committed to show up for them every day!
Library
Becky Ortega
Hi! I'm Mrs. Ortega and this is my sixth year as the Gulledge librarian. I have 5 children (yes, that' a lot!), two cats, and a gecko. My favorite thing to do is read books and drink coffee on a rainy day. My favorite genre is Fantasy and my favorite book in the library is "Flotsam" by: David Weisner.
Books and libraries are filled with magic. I am so excited to help guide students in discovering new ideas and perspectives. Being a librarian at Gulledge gives me the opportunity to foster a love of reading in every student. I look forward to creating a welcoming space where curiosity is encouraged and learning is fun. It's an honor to support both students and teachers as we explore, imagine, and grow together.
Student Support Liaison
Katy Thompson
I graduated from Texas State University — Eat ’em up, Cats! My husband, Cole, and I have been married for five years. We have two bird dogs, Luka and Ellie, a cat named Mila, and we’re excited to welcome our first child this fall! In my spare time, I love to read and unwind at our family’s lake house.
I student-taught at Gulledge and have been fortunate to be a Gator ever since! I’m excited to continue my ninth year in education as the Student Support Liaison and Math Rocks teacher, and I can’t wait to engage with and support all of our amazing Gulledge families. Gulledge truly is the place to be!