For 47 years, Middle School English teacher Glenda Daulerio 1760 P’07 has brought books to life. One may even go as far as saying that her tenure at GA is a book in itself. Students have lived in the world of Fahrenheit 451 saving books or experienced a seemingly perfect future in The Giver. But for Daulerio it goes beyond teaching English. She is a pillar of passion and support of the students she teaches and alumni she misses. To say that Daulerio’s retirement will make a difference in GA's story, especially in the GA Middle School, is an understatement. She has always been an integral part of the GA family.

“It’s a given that English teachers love books, but Glenda Daulerio really, truly, in a from-the-bottom-of-her-heart-extreme-fandom-kind-of-way loves books, particularly YA books and authors, and that passion has only grown over the 4+ decades she has graciously served GA,” said Head of School Rich Schellhas 1760. “Speak with any alum (or colleague, for that matter) from over the course of Glenda’s tenure, and they will wax poetic about her love of all things English, her intense care for every student, and the ebullient spirit that imbues everything she does. Speak with any administrator, and we will laud with awe and reverence Glenda’s sublime eagerness to help support any activity at any time that will make the GA Middle School a better place and will enhance the experience for even just one student. She’s 100% GA, every hour of every day, and has been, without a moment’s waning, for 47 years. Simply put, there is no one like her. Even in retirement, Glenda’s symbiosis with GA will never, ever fade. She is a living legend, an expert hugger, the dictionary definition of a dedicated teacher, a walking encyclopedia of GA history, and an extraordinary school person. I am humbled by and grateful for her remarkable service.”

Her service to so many areas of the school reads like a Table of Contents. Chapter 1 - Member of the English Department. Chapter 2 - Middle and Upper School Advisor. Chapter 3 - Coach and communications coordinator for numerous team sports, including Reading Olympics. Chapter 4 - Middle School Community Service Coordinator and Co-Coordinator. The list goes on (see the Extra Credit section below) to include many other chapters of opportunities that Daulerio could not pass up in her quest to be a well-rounded school person.

While Daulerio has many cherished pieces in her story - member of the Class of 1760, GA's honorary alumni group, Distinguished Teaching Award recipient, Kast Grant awardee (several times over), 47 years of teaching at the same school is still the biggest accomplishment.

“It didn’t take long for me to realize that I found a home at GA," said Daulerio. "I immediately felt welcomed by the community. Even though I was a young teacher, my colleagues and the administration valued my opinions and encouraged me to explore my personal interests. Alumni still mention activities from even the early years!"

When it comes to picking the cover of her book, Daulerio has so many lasting memories that selecting her favorites was pretty difficult. There is the excitement of the opening weeks of school when she meets new students and advisees; the Flag Raising and bell ringing on Connor Quad to mark the beginning of a new school year; the field trips to Williamsburg, DC, Boston, Quebec, and Rome; the Thanksgiving Food Drives and the Holiday Assemblies; and, of course, decades of graduations are just a few.
 
"Over the years, GA has become my second family, and I am eternally grateful to my present and former students, their families, my talented colleagues, and the GA administration for the love, respect, and support they have shown me," said Daulerio. "I will always cherish the meaningful relationships that I have built along the way and know that they will not end with my retirement. So many of my dearest friends are former students and fellow teachers."
 
While the ending of Daulerio's book may conclude with her leading the faculty line at graduation this June, her connection to the place she calls home will remain forever.

"Thank you, GA, for affording me the opportunity to do what I love most: teaching energetic Middle Schoolers to learn more about themselves and others through reading and discussing good literature," said Daulerio. "I am grateful for the privilege of teaching alongside so many talented and creative educators in the Middle School. Their passion for their subjects and love of MS kids have been a constant source of inspiration to me.”

Extra Credit

Favorite Quote:
"Being a teacher is not what I do; it’s who I am,” spoken by First Lady Dr. Jill Biden.  
 
Positions at GA:
•    Middle School English, history, math, reading skills, and academic support teacher
•    Middle and Upper School Advisor, grades 6-10
•    Head Advisor to the Classes of 1989, 1991, and 1993
•    Director of Middle and Upper School Admissions
•    Director of Annual Giving and Parent Volunteer Programs
•    Middle School softball and basketball coach
•    Communications coordinator for MS/US girls and boys basketball teams, boys soccer, and MS/US squash
•    Reading Olympics team coach
•    Middle School Community Service coordinator and co-coordinator
•    Alumni Society Board member
•    Member of the Board of Trustees Development and Marketing Committees
 
What She is Most Grateful For:
I am forever grateful to Jack Pickering 1760, former Assistant Head of School and Dean of Faculty, who saw promise in a young, idealistic teacher, and hired me to teach Supplementary English in the newly created Middle School. It was during that very first year that I realized how fortunate I was to be teaching at GA, and I have never looked back.

GA has also given me the opportunity to grow professionally, and for that, I am ever thankful. The administration and my colleagues have encouraged me to become active in the PA Council of Teachers of English and Language Arts (PCTELA) and in the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) where I have had the opportunity to present at several conferences. Without the support and encouragement of GA’s administration, I would have never had the opportunity to meet teachers from all over the country as well as to learn from the leading researchers and authors who have influenced English education and inspired my teaching.