Meet Gloria!

Raised in Virginia, Gloria Thrall worked as an educator for over 30 years, first as an English teacher and later as a high school counselor. Having raised her own children and having taught generations of students, she is excited to be writing picture books and stories that entertain and inspire the newest generation, including her two granddaughters.

As a teacher with Fairfax County Public Schools, Gloria and her colleagues partnered with The National Institutes of Health to monitor the progress of a group of 9th graders who had been designated as “at-risk” students in their earlier school years. She presented at both national and state conferences, twice on the topic of the importance resiliency plays in child development. Her award-winning children’s book, Fiddley Dee!, co-written with Sara Thrall, helps children learn to cope with disappointment.

Gloria is also the co-author, with Ruth Perlstein, of Ready-to-Use Conflict Resolution Activities for Secondary Students, a practical resource that gives counselors, coaches, and youth leaders a program for training secondary students in conflict resolution and peer mediation. Together with Ruth, Gloria developed a peer-mediation program and course for West Potomac High School. While teaching in Virginia, Gloria sponsored the National Honor Society and coached the junior varsity cheerleading squad.

Gloria has been a member of her local Rotary Club and the Boulder Chorale. She currently lives in Boulder, Colorado where she teaches T’ai Chi Chih. She holds a BS degree from Radford University and a Master’s Degree from George Mason University.