Phoenixville Woman, Former Teacher Admits To Sexually Assaulting Student

PHOENIXVILLE, PA — A Phoenixville woman and former special education teacher at Conestoga High School pleaded guilty Friday to sexually assaulting a student and providing them with marijuana.

Michelle Mercogliano, 36, of Phoenixville, pleaded guilty to two counts of institutional sexual assault and to corruption of minors.

She was sentenced to at least 15 months in Chester County Prison followed by 80 months on probation. She was also determined to be a Tier II Sex Offender.

Mercogliano's relationship with the student victim began in Feb. 2025, police said. During the course of their relationship, she also gave the student marijuana, according to authorities.

The Tredyffrin-Easttown School District said that Mercogliano was placed on leave once the school became aware of the investigation, and she no longer has access to school property. The school does not believe there are other victims.

Mercogliano began teaching at Conestoga in the fall of 2024. Before that, she was a teacher at Hillside Elementary from 2019 to 2024 and a paraprofessional at Hillside Elementary and Valley Forge Elementary Schools from 2014 to 2018.

"We are deeply troubled by these allegations," Superintendent Richard Gusick wrote in a letter to the school community when the charges were first announced. "Out of respect for student privacy and the integrity of the investigation, the District will not provide additional comment or details at this time."

Before the plea, Mercogliano agreed to forfeit her teaching license. She also can't work with children while on probation.

Mercogliano has been incarcerated at Chester County Prison since May 2025, when she was unable to post bail.

With reporting from Patch correspondent June Bakan