Kathy Gilles is a 2026-2027 Teach Plus Illinois Senior Policy Fellow and kindergarten teacher at Wilder-Waite Grade School in Peoria, Illinois. She serves on the Behavior Intervention Strategies Team and previously served on the district Curriculum Council and school Instructional Leadership Team. Kathy worked as a preschool teacher and director in partnership with the Illinois Migrant Head Start Project. She has an English as a second language endorsement. Kathy earned a BA in early childhood education from Kendall College, MEd in reading from Augustana University, and MEd in education policy, organization, and leadership from the University of Illinois. She is pursuing an EdD in education policy, organization, and leadership at the University of Illinois.
