Gloria Merriex was once just your typical teacher adhering to the Alachua County School District’s curriculum. But during the early 2000s, something changed.
Her school, Duval Elementary in East Gainesville, failed the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT). That’s when she decided to take a risk despite the institution being monitored.
She created her own curriculum — infusing music and dance — to make math and other subjects fun and accessible for students. Within a year, she helped catapult the school to an A…