Michelle Gordon Bartley is a graduate of White Plains High School, and obtained her first job through the White Plains Youth Bureau. Upon graduation, Michelle attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she earned her B.A. in International Studies, with a minor in Spanish. After college she taught English as a Second Language (ESL) to children in grades 2 and 4, and then worked with children with behavioral and emotional disorders (B.E.D.) in the classroom, mental health facilities, and as a therapeutic foster parent.

Michelle returned to Westchester in September of 2008, and began working for the Lower Hudson Valley Perinatal Network. In 2011, Michelle graduated from the College of New Rochelle with a dual Masters Degree in Childhood Education and Childhood Special Education, as well as dual NYS licensure for teaching grades 1-6. In 2017, she returned to the community that raised her, as the Family Information Center Coordinator for the White Plains City School District.

Michelle has served her community by being a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., a mentor with Big Brothers, Big Sisters, and serving on various youth serving coalitions. She also is an active participant of Bethel Baptist Church. She received a Shining Stars Award (2012) and the Wonderful Woman Award (2016), both from the City of Peekskill, and the Amazing Woman Award (2018) from Team Smooth Entertainment in Mt. Vernon, NY. She has served on the Peekskill Juneteenth Committee since its inception in 2011. In her spare time, Michelle writes children’s books, plays her tuba and runs her own business, “Chelley’s Jellies”. Michelle resides in Westchester with her husband, Christopher-John and one year old daughter, Vivian.