Class Of Her Own

A Classroom Rebellion For the Ages

An Award-Winning Film by Boaz Dvir

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Synopsis over photo gallery

  • Gloria Jean Merriex rebelled against a system that has neglected many of its vulnerable students

  • Gloria could have gone anywhere to teach. But she chose to spend her career where she grew up, the economically disadvantaged, East Gainesville, Florida.

  • The district pressured Gloria and her Duval colleagues to follow strict curricula, but she knew doing the same thing would yield more of the same failing results.

  • Instead, she reinvented herself and her teaching to make her lessons relevant to her students.

  • Realizing utilizing rhythm and music helped students memorize complex concepts, she took a major risk to create her own curricula and empower her students to thrive in and out of the classroom.

  • Sacraficing her health, Gloria morphed into a matchless teaching machine and support system.

  • The grueling workload took a toll on her health, and after four years, Gloria's selflessness caught up to her.

  • Gloria’s lessons are more relevant than ever.

Film Reviews

  • "The director, Boaz Dvir, saw something larger happening in Merriex and brought that truth forward."

    Film critic Dan Domench

  • "[The film] brings Gloria Jean Merriex 'to life'"

    Aida Mallard, The Gainesville Sun

  • "[Class of Her Own] is a real-life mirror of Abbott Elementary"

    Peter Greene, Forbes

Film Festival Awards

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