WASHINGTON — Gladys Tordil was an Advanced Placement chemistry teacher at Parkdale High School. Now, Prince George’s County students are remembering her as an “influential teacher.”
The 44-year-old was the first person killed in what became a two-day shooting spree in Prince George’s and Montgomery counties.
Prince Georges County Police say Gladys Tordil was shot by her estranged husband, 62-year-old Eulalio Tordil, in the parking lot of High Point High School in Beltsville when she was picking up her kids Thursday afternoon.
Kevin Maxwell, CEO of Prince George’s County Public Schools, tells WTOP’s television news partner NBC Washington that Tordil was with the system for years.
“Most of her AP students were talking about how they were pushed by her and to really do the right thing and be good people,” Maxwell said.
Maxwell says the loss is hard-felt among her students.
“She’s just an excellent teacher,” he said. “Her students are just very upset, as one can imagine, and even students that didn’t have her as a teacher are coming by the room and leaving notes on the door.”
The Prince George’s County Educators Association said in a statement Friday that the community is mourning the second loss of a colleague to violence within six months.
“Gladys was a leader as an active member of the Faculty Advisory Council at her school. Our focus is on supporting the family and unit members during this difficult time. During this grieving process, we are partnering with Prince George’s County Public Schools and doing everything we can to assist our members who have been affected in any way. Our attention will continue to be about the security and well-being of our members. The safety of our members and students will continue to be among the top priorities. While the Prince George’s County Police Department is investigating the situation, we are committed to ensuring a safe workplace for all of our students and members by addressing the issue of violence,” the statement reads.
In February, 26-year-old NeShante Davis was on her way to work at Bradbury Heights Elementary School in Capitol Heights when the father of her daughter confronted her and shot the two multiple times.
Davis and her two-year-old daughter, Chloe, died in the shooting. Family and friends remembered Davis as devoted mom with a passion for teaching.
“We are in mourning. This is the second PGCEA member in 6 months that our community has lost as a victim of a violence. Violence affects our students, ours educators, and our schools. As an Association, we will continue to address the issue. Our association remains steadfast in our support of the Stop the Violence Campaign in Prince George’s County,” said PGCEA President Theresa Mitchell Dudley.
Crisis counselors will be made available for students and staff next week to help them cope with their loss.
