Two new administrators join Mehlville School District team prior to start of school

Two new administrators join Mehlville School District team prior to start of school
Posted on 08/28/2019
Jennifer Hansen & Carla GardnerMehlville School District is pleased to announce the hiring of two administrators, Jennifer Hansen, Executive Director of Human Resources, and Carla Gardner, Assistant Principal at Margaret Buerkle Middle School.

At their August meeting, the Mehlville School District Board of Education unanimously voted to approve the hiring of these two administrators following a thorough candidate search and selection process. 

Jennifer Hansen, Executive Director of Human Resources
Jennifer Hansen brings 15 years of experience in employment law and human resources to her new role as Mehlville School District’s Executive Director of Human Resources. Hansen began her work with Mehlville in mid-August.

“From recruiting outstanding employees to developing and fairly enforcing personnel policies, I'm confident that Ms. Hansen has the breadth of knowledge that Mehlville School District needs to ensure our human resources department supports student learning and positive outcomes,” said Dr. Jeff Bresler, Assistant Superintendent of Schools.

Hansen is an attorney and ran her own firm, The Hansen Firm, since 2013. She advised clients on matters related to employment law, business law and general practice. Hansen has also managed employment and human resources functions for businesses. She is president of the Jefferson College Foundation and is a guest lecturer at Jefferson College on topics including human resources. Hansen received her Bachelor of Arts from Missouri State University and her Juris Doctor from Saint Louis University.

Carla Gardner, Assistant Principal of Margaret Buerkle Middle School 
Carla Gardner was selected as the assistant principal for Margaret Buerkle Middle School for the 2019-2020 school year. She began her work in July, replacing Michelle Wood who accepted an assistant principal role at Trautwein and Wohlwend elementary schools.

“Mrs. Gardner is an innovative educator who is student-centered and data-driven,” said Jim Kern, principal at Buerkle Middle School. “Her strengths in teaching strategies and building positive relationships with students, parents and staff has helped cultivate an environment at Buerkle that focuses on academic achievement and student voice and choice.”

Gardner taught at Buerkle for the past 10 years. She’s held numerous leadership positions at Buerkle, including math department chair, after school supervisor and faculty advisory committee member. She’s also served as acting principal, assuming administrator duties in the absence of the principal and assistant principal. Gardner earned a bachelor's degree from Missouri State University and a Master of Arts in School Administration from Lindenwood University.
The Mehlville School District strictly prohibits discrimination and harassment against employees, students or others on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, or sex including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity and other characteristics protected by law. The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: contact Adam Smith at 314-467-5006 or [email protected].