Pa. teacher pleads guilty to sexual relationship with student, giving him weed

A Chester County teacher pleaded guilty to having a sexual relationship with a teen student and giving him weed, according to the District Attorney’s Office.

Michelle Mercogliano, 35, of Phoenixville, had a sexual relationship with a 16-year-old student that started in February of 2025. Mercogliano was also accused of giving the teenager marijuana at least 15 times.

Mercogliano used her cell phone to text the minor and used the social media platform Snapchat to go undetected, according to the criminal complaint.

On May 1, 2026, she pleaded guilty to charges including institutional sexual assault and corruption of minors.

She was sentenced to 15 months in a Chester County prison and will be supervised by a probation officer for at least 80 months after she is released.

Mercogliano was working as a special education teacher at Conestoga High School at the time of her arrest but has since forfeited her teaching license. She will not be allowed to work with children while on probation.

Before working at Conestoga High School, Mercogliano worked at Hillside Elementary School and Valley Forge Elementary Schools between the years of 2014 and 2024, according to officials.

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.