Gesell Staff

Gilad Seckler is a former high school teacher with years of experience as an educator, athletic coach, and camp counselor. Prior to Gesell, he taught 9th and 10th grade English at Beacon High School in New York City. He holds an MAT in secondary English education and an AB in psychology and literary arts from Brown University.

Bailey Woods, MA Ed. is the Education Programs Manager for the Gesell Program in Early Childhood at the Yale Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine at Yale University. In this role, she leads Gesell’s research and training for the Gesell Assessment System. Her work focuses on informing educators, pediatricians and therapists in the latest research on how children learn and grow.

Bailey attended Western Kentucky University for her bachelor’s degree, and went on to receive a master’s degree in education with a curriculum and instruction concentration from Fresno State University. During her 13 years as an educator, in private and public schools, she has taught 2 year olds through 5th grade. She has worked with Gesell as a trainer since 2015.

Sally Coleman Keller is an Early Childhood educator and advocate. She has retired from her most recent position of teaching and directing a local preschool. After receiving her BA from Alma College in Michigan, she continued on to earn her MAT in Early Childhood Education from Oakland University, in Rochester, MI.

Sally started in Early Childhood and throughout her career has held various educational roles including initiating programs for young children in her community, working with parents, consulting, as well as teaching and leading a preschool. Sally has been a member of the National Lecture Staff for nearly 40 years, and previously served as the NLS Director. Sally is a parent and a grandparent which gives her a special connection when explaining to parents and educators the important connection between child development and the overall learning continuum.

Cecilia Locke holds Bachelor of Arts and Master of Counseling degrees from St. Edward's University in Austin TX.  She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and completed a Montessori Teaching Certification. Cecilia has worked in the education field for over 30 years; 20 in early childhood. Cecilia is now retired from her last position as the Director of Students Support Services at a private school in Texas.  In this role she supported the learning and development of children in Pre-K 3 through 8th grade who needed guidance in order to be successful in school.

Cecilia completed her first Gesell GDO-R workshop in Grapevine, Texas in 1999; she was immediately hooked. Cecilia joined the National Lecture Staff in 2015. Over her many years using the Gesell Assessment System she is convinced of the value of a tool to help in placing children with their developmental peer group.  She is fond of saying, “Viewing children through a developmental lens is life changing; it provides insight into developmentally appropriate behavior and academic expectations for each unique child.”

Cheryl’s work in child development and early education spans over 30 years; she was privileged to join the National Lecture Staff in 2004. She holds a BS in Psychology with a concentration in early childhood development and a Master’s degree in Applied Arts and Sciences, an interdisciplinary degree concentrating on early childhood in Human Development and Family Studies, as well as early childhood education and education measurement.  Pursuing the Interdisciplinary Master’s afforded her the unique opportunity to study with Dr. Andrea Huang from the University of North Carolina’s Center for Developmental Sciences. While there Cheryl interacted with and learned from prominent researchers - whose continued work focuses on brain development, the impact of early child maltreatment on the developing brain and maladaptive behavior in teens with early childhood maltreatment. She holds a graduate certificate in Global Studies and soon will complete further studies in inclusive environments, and leadership in early learning.

Cheryl’s background is diverse. She is passionate about her belief that every individual has infinite worth, and in need of quality, safe, and compassionate environments, all essential for healthy growth and development, particularly in the early years. Her work as a consultant includes a variety of organizations, public and private schools, as well as individual families. Cheryl has observed over 1500 children and trained over 500 professionals/parents and worked across the US, in Costa Rica, Chile and South Africa. Cheryl has a variety of interests and most recently began raising butterflies and restoring furniture. She resides in North Carolina with her husband and rescue dog, Josie. They enjoy life with their four adult children and their families, including five grandchildren.