Meet our new Youth Coordinator, Gail Gardner

Greetings. My name is Gail Gardner and I am a lifelong resident of Martha’s Vineyard. I attended the Edgartown School and the MVRHS before going to college at UMASS Amherst. I am currently the Instructional Technology teacher at the Edgartown School, teaching computer skills to students in Kindergarten through 8th grade. During my tenure as a teacher, I have obtained two master’s degrees, the first in Education in Instructional Technology and the second in Educational Leadership and Management. My husband and I have three grown children. Our oldest daughter is working on her master’s degree in Occupational Therapy, our son is serving in the US Marine Corps, and our youngest is exploring and traveling the world for a few years. I look forward to working with Island youth in a new way, helping them to learn the valuable skills of conflict resolution and mediation. 

I recently completed my qualification course work as a Massachusetts mediator and am working to complete my apprenticeship. I will be taking the Conflict Essentials Course in October. I am very much looking forward to working as the Youth Mediation Coordinator at MV Mediation and I’m grateful for the training and warm welcome that I’ve received here so far. 

Testimonials

“I was terrified when I came into the court. It seemed like the end of the world. Thanks to my compassionate and understanding mediators, I was able to have a productive conversation with someone I considered an adversary. I couldn’t believe we were able to work it out without going in front of a judge. Thank you MVMP.”

– Small Claims Client

“I was really not looking forward to mediation. But it turned turned out to be relatively pleasant. I really enjoyed working with the two of you. I plan to recommend mediation to others.”

– Divorce Client

“You brought us all together. It was awesome. I am so relieved. All our people felt uplifted, more united and part of a team. In particular one Board member said she felt she was taken care of with kindness and wisdom. We all know each other much better, have defined our work together and are in such better shape than we were when we started. Thank you MVMP.”

– Facilitation Client

“If you have the chance to do Conflict Coaching, DO IT! It was eye opening for me. My coach was kind, insightful and such a great listener. Most importantly, I learned so much about myself and about how I handle conflict. I now have a good, solid conflict management plan for the future.”

– Conflict Coaching Client

“It was valuable to help me handle a current conflict in my workplace. Putting a positive spin on conflict was an eye-opener for me. It gives me a structure to address problems. We had a very serious conflict at work recently so this is very important and relevant to me right now.”

– Workplace Conflict Management Services