Biography:

Superintendent Uzzell has an extensive background in education, serving as an elementary and middle school classroom teacher, a middle school reading specialist, and a middle school guidance counselor throughout her 27+ years as a career educator.  She served as a district-level administrator in Okaloosa County, Florida, managing W.E. Combs Pre-Kindergarten Center and the Digital Arts CHOICE Academy.  She also created an unique school for home educated students called the “Blended School” in Okaloosa County.   This innovative program, located at sites such as Florida’s Gulfarium, Emerald Coast Science Center, Gulf Breeze Zoo, and Camp Timpoochee, received local, state, and national acclaim for its progressive, accelerated science instruction provided to over 700 students from Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Walton, and Escambia Counties. 

Formerly married to an Air Force pilot, Ms. Uzzell had opportunities to work with various school districts as she and her family relocated for military reassignments, including Bay, Jackson, Leon, and Okaloosa Counties in Florida.  She taught with Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia and with the Department of Defense Dependents Schools (DoDDS) in Spangdahlem, Germany.  Ms. Uzzell considers her experience in a wide variety of educational settings and geographical locations to be her greatest asset!

Uzzell is a former “Teacher of the Year” in Bay County, Florida, where she initiated a unique Language Development program for students in pre-kindergarten through grade two.  She’s taught nearly every subject and grade level in elementary and middle school and implemented a highly acclaimed school-wide reading program in Fairfax County, Virginia, where she served as a reading specialist.  Ms. Uzzell is an advocate of positive behavior reinforcement, and the classroom management and incentive programs she developed have been implemented at many schools throughout the US.  

Education is a family tradition for Uzzell.  Her grandmother taught first grade for 30 years, and her father, Jerry M. Johnson, served as a teacher, principal, and coach for Liberty County Schools.  He finished his career in education after being elected as School Superintendent of Liberty County Schools for three terms.  Her daughter is a kindergarten teacher in Gadsden County, Florida.   Ms. Uzzell returned to her roots after living away for over 20 years and is now continuing the legacy her father established in Liberty County.

Gloria Gay is the mother of three children:  Christy Uzzell Brock, Lucas Uzzell, and Cydney Uzzell.  She also has one grandson, Camden, who attends preschool in Liberty County.  She is a member of First Baptist Church of Bristol and is actively involved in helping feed those in need, assisting with “Angel Tree” and care projects at Christmas, and mentoring.  Her passion is being an avid “cheerleader” for the students in her schools.

EDUCATION:

Chipola Junior College – A.A. Degree, 1982

Florida State University – B.S. Degree in Elementary Education, 1983

Florida State University- Master’s Degree in Reading/Language Arts, 1991