St. Scholastica names Gillio head of school

“I am truly humbled by the opportunity to serve the St. Scholastica community,” Gillio said. “I am looking forward to partnering with the faculty, staff, alumnae, students and the entire SSA community to continue the tradition of excellence in educating young women in the Benedictine tradition.”
    

Gillio has 28 years of educational experience, including 22 years in Catholic schools. Since 2017, she served as assistant principal of St. Aloysius School in Baton Rouge. From 2005-17, she was assistant principal of academics/director of admissions at St. Joseph’s Academy in Baton Rouge.
    

Prior to her service in Baton Rouge, Gillio was assistant principal and principal of St. Matthew the Apostle School in River Ridge from 2001-05, where she introduced standards-based education. She was director of admissions for one year at Louise S. McGehee School in New Orleans and the admissions director and early childhood teacher at Ursuline Academy from 1997-2000.
    

She taught in Jefferson Parish Public Schools from 1992-97.
    

Gillio earned a bachelor’s degree in family, child and consumer sciences from Louisiana State University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of New Orleans in 1999. She received the outstanding graduate award in her master’s program.
    

“As I look back on my 28 years in education, I am grateful for all of the experiences and opportunities that have been presented to me along the way,” Gillio said. “I was greatly influenced by the educators in my family as I chose my career path. I keep a picture of my grandmother on my desk and still look at it every day. She was a teacher, eventually becoming a principal, and after her death her school was named after her. I grew up next door to her and spent almost every afternoon with her.”
    

For the last 15 years, Gillio and her husband Cliff have been active members of St. Aloysius Church in Baton Rouge.
    

“My Catholic faith is what guides me each day as a school leader,” Gillio said.
    

Gillio was chosen in 2013 as a fellow by the School Leadership Center of New Orleans and participated in a two-year program to enhance her leadership skills.
    
“As a lifelong learner, I continually attend professional development, stay current on educational trends by reading education journals, attending conferences, presenting, leading AdvancEd visits and
consulting with colleagues on best practices,” she said. “I consider myself a servant leader. My role as the leader is to ensure faculty, staff and students have the tools they need to be successful.”
    

Her goal is to work collaboratively with teachers and administrators to improve teaching and learning.
    

“Building teacher capacity is vital to the growth of a school, and leaders who are willing to invest in teachers can truly have an impact on student learning and a culture of continuous improvement,” she said. “As a reflective practitioner, I will constantly research ways to grow St. Scholastica Academy, while maintaining the traditions and core values that make it unique.”