A former special education teacher from Chester County, Michelle Mercogliano, pleaded guilty on Friday (May 1) to having a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old student at Conestoga High School. The charges include institutional sexual assault and corruption of minors. Mercogliano, 35, also admitted to providing the student with marijuana on multiple occasions.
According to the Chester County District Attorney's Office, Mercogliano's inappropriate relationship with the student began in February 2025. Most of the incidents occurred at her parents' home in Malvern. She used her cell phone and the social media platform Snapchat to communicate with the student without detection.
Mercogliano was sentenced to at least 15 months in Chester County Prison and will be under probation for at least 80 months following her release. She has also been classified as a Tier II sex offender and has forfeited her teaching license. During her probation, she is prohibited from working with children.
Before her time at Conestoga High School, Mercogliano worked at Hillside Elementary School and Valley Forge Elementary School. She also served as an adjunct professor at Immaculata University, where she taught Italian.
Chester County District Attorney Christopher L. de Barrena-Sarobe stated, "Parents and students should be able to trust their teachers. The Defendant broke the law and destroyed that trust. It will not be tolerated."
The Tredyffrin/Easttown School District placed Mercogliano on leave immediately after learning of the investigation. The district is cooperating with authorities and has assured the public of its commitment to maintaining a safe environment for students.
Anyone with information relevant to the investigation is encouraged to contact the Tredyffrin Township Police Department at 610-644-3221. Resources for victims of sexual assault are available through the National Sexual Violence Resources Center and the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 800-656-4673.