Celebrating Mrs. Gloria Chavez: A Lifelong Dedication to Literacy and Learning

Gloria Chavez, Newell Barney College Prep’s (NBCP) librarian, has been a cornerstone of the Queen Creek Unified School District (QCUSD) since 1970—long before the town of Queen Creek had even formed and when there was only one school brick building. Mrs. Chavez has grown with the district for nearly 56 years and is set to retire this year. For National Library Week, QCUSD is honoring exceptional librarians and media assistants like Mrs. Chavez, whose commitment to student learning through physical media has made a lasting impact.

Mrs. Chavez’s journey with the district began as a kindergarten aide. From there, she helped with ticket lunches and eventually found her way to Newell Barney College Prep as a media assistant. She has a love for every student who walks through her doors. “I enjoy the students talking to each other, laughing. Some will do their homework and ask, Can you help me?” says Mrs. Chavez. “Sure. I will help with whatever I can!”

For Mrs. Chavez, reading is the foundation of all education. “If you don't know how to read, it’s difficult to do anything else in life,” she emphasizes. From math class to job applications, literacy is key to success in every area of life. “I tell students that they need to take books. I don't care if it is an easy book or a book you can finish in one day and bring back tomorrow. You can get another book as long as you keep reading.”

Going above and beyond, Mrs. Chavez takes the time to find student-requested books that may not be currently available in the NBCP Library. She asks students about their interests and works hard to fill those gaps. To further encourage reading, Mrs. Chavez often shares one of her favorite book series, A Series of Unfortunate Events. “Sometimes, we’ll read it together. To me, that’s important. If they see me reading, they will read too.”

Reflecting on her long tenure with the district, Mrs. Chavez says, “I have worked for the district forever, and I have never regretted it. In the 56 years I’ve been here, I’ve worked with many principals, and each one has supported me throughout it all. That’s why I’ve stayed here so long.” She adds, “I love it here, and while it’s bittersweet to be retiring, I will miss it deeply.” For her incredible contributions to QCUSD and NBCP, the library at NBCP has been named in her honor. 

This National Library Week, we celebrate the enduring dedication of staff like Mrs. Chavez, whose passion for student success has left a lasting legacy. Interested in joining the QCUSD team? Join us for on-site interviews at our classified job fair on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the district office.