LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Gloria Mccorquodale was nominated anonymously.

Ms. Mccorquodale creates a positive classroom environment through intentional, student-centered strategies that prioritize relationships, respect, and relevance. She begins by building strong connections with students, greeting each one by name daily and holding regular morning check-ins to foster a sense of trust and belonging. By showing genuine interest in their lives, ideas, and progress, Ms. Mccorquodale supports her district's mission to "inspire and equip" students on their individual journeys.

Respectful communication is at the heart of her classroom culture. Ms. Mccorquodale models empathy and active listening and sets clear expectations for how students engage with one another. She integrates sentence stems into her English Language Arts instruction, such as "I see your point, but I think…" to encourage thoughtful, respectful academic discussions that strengthen both SEL skills and ELA content mastery.

Ms. Mccorquodale promotes student voice and choice, offering multiple ways for students to express their learning, including writing, speaking, digital tools, and art. By allowing students to choose reading and writing topics when possible, she empowers them to take ownership of their learning, promoting creativity and aligning with her goal of inspiring future-ready learners.

Celebrating effort over outcomes is another key part of her approach. She recognizes perseverance through systems like an "Effort Wall" or weekly "Strive Star" shout-outs, which reinforce the "E" in PRIDE: Effort. This focus helps students build a growth mindset and value the learning process.

Ms. Mccorquodale also fosters a safe space for academic risk-taking, encouraging students to ask questions, challenge texts, and revise their work. By establishing explicit norms that value all ideas, she fosters critical thinking and helps students develop confidence in their analysis and interpretation. With a blend of structure and flexibility, Ms. McCorquodale maintains consistent routines and expectations while adapting to students' needs. She balances high standards with empathy, preparing students for real-world demands and aligning with FBISD's vision for future-ready graduates.

Finally, Ms. McCorquodale integrates literacy with real-world relevance by using diverse texts and connecting themes to students' lives and goals. This not only deepens engagement but also fosters meaningful and lasting learning experiences. Through these practices, Ms. McCorquodale creates a classroom environment where every student feels seen, supported, and inspired to grow.