As Lead Teacher for the Fawns, Gillian has been an integral part of building the curriculum of MWS. She is now stepping into the role of Dharma Education Liaison, where she’ll greet students in the classroom leading weekly Dharma classes, and collaborate with our Senior Director of Dharma Education to weave Buddhist philosophy and perspective into all learning. 

After five wonderful years as the Fawns’ lead teacher at Middle Way, I’m honored and excited to step into a new role as Dharma Education Liaison this fall. Rooted in a love of the performing arts and language, I studied theater at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and earned a B.A. in Italian Language and Literature from Barnard College. My journey as an educator began in Brooklyn at Saint Ann’s School, where I taught preschool. For the next 17 years, I lived abroad in Italy and Switzerland, teaching English and theater to K–12 students, directing numerous productions in local and international schools, and founding a performing arts program that ran for six years in Switzerland. After returning to the States—and before joining Middle Way—I served as Auxiliary Programs Coordinator at Poughkeepsie Day School. I came to Middle Way School during the pivotal and tumultuous pandemic year of 2020.

Meditation has been at the heart of my life for over twenty years. My practice began with the teachings of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, and more recently I’ve become a student of Mingyur Rinpoche. The view, practice, and path of the Dharma continue to inspire and guide me in all aspects of my life.

In this new role, I look forward to deepening my connection with the Middle Way community and working closely with teachers and staff to nurture a living Dharma within our school. I’ll be partnering with Sarah Beasley, Senior Director of Dharma Education, to help shape a thoughtful and responsive continuum of the Dharma program. I’m grateful to be stepping into this role with the guidance and mentorship of Sarah, whose clarity, insight, and spaciousness continue to inform the work we’re doing together. With a background in theater, movement, and music, I’m especially inspired to integrate the self-awareness and presence cultivated through the arts into our Dharma work—offering students creative, embodied ways to explore how the Buddha’s teachings can enrich and support their lives. I look forward to exploring this path alongside students and families, with curiosity, joy, and humor.

My husband, Patricio, and I live in a house we built in Red Hook, NY. Between us, we have three grown children living in Rome, Locarno, and New York. We’re also devoted human parents to our beloved cat, Chloe.