Gretchen Tunnicliffe
English Language Learners (ELL) Specialist
Gretchen Tunnicliffe is the English language learners (ELL) specialist for grades K–9 at Florida Connections Academy (FCA) and has been teaching for 19 years. She began teaching at Connections Academy in October 2011. While at Connections Academy, she has held the following teaching positions and roles: substitute teacher, grade one teacher, ELL lead teacher, and ELL specialist. Prior to coming to Connections Academy, Ms. Tunnicliffe taught in London, England; Auckland, New Zealand; and Norfolk, Virginia. While teaching in Norfolk for 10 years, she held the following positions: grades six and seven reading teacher, reading specialist, and literacy coach.
Ms. Tunnicliffe completed her undergraduate degree at Seton Hall University in New Jersey and holds an education specialist degree (Ed S) in educational technology and a master's degree in reading from the University of Virginia.
"I became a teacher because I wanted a profession that would allow me to make a difference in the world,"; said Ms. Tunnicliffe. "I love to learn and I strive to connect with students so that they can understand their potential and that everyone has the ability to learn. I have taught overseas and in several different schools and settings, but teaching at Connections Academy has been a privilege. Each day I am motivated to do my best and I am always learning new things. I work with teachers that share the same goals of making a difference. I enjoy being able to learn so much about the families that I work with; it is amazing how the relationships in the virtual setting are so strong".
"I became a teacher because I wanted a profession that would allow me to make a difference in the world. I love to learn, and I strive to connect with students so that they can understand their potential and that everyone has the ability to learn."
— Ms. Tunnicliffe
Outside of teaching, Ms. Tunnicliffe enjoys spending time with her family, including her husband and two kids. They enjoy outdoor activities like going to the beach and hiking. They also spend a lot of time going to their kids' sporting events, usually swimming and baseball. They also love to travel and spent last summer in New Zealand, where it was winter. Ms. Tunnicliffe also enjoys running every morning and doing yoga whenever she can find the time.