Gretchen Coppage

When a student walks into Ms. Coppage’s class, they know — almost innately — that they’re loved.

There aren’t many teachers (or people, for that matter), quite like Ms. Coppage. With a smile that lights up a room and a laugh more contagious than COVID, Ms. Coppage makes students, parents and even her fellow teachers feel right at home.

“I have always wanted to be a teacher,” Ms. Coppage said. “I used to play school when I was a little girl!”

And she never stopped! A proud member of our 20-Year Club, Ms. Coppage has been a key fixture of our Radcliffe Creek family since 1996! With a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Wesley College and over 25 years of experience under her belt, Ms. Coppage doesn’t just teach some of our youngest and mightiest brains, she also teaches her peers, too! In fact, it may be one of the most prominent qualities that makes her such a modern day legend.

Ms. Coppage, a hometown girl through and through, was born and raised in Chestertown, MD. She eventually went on to raise her own four sons in Chestertown and still resides in the town today. Her husband, a volunteer fire fighter, visits Radcliffe Creek with a fire engine every year to teach about fire safety and prevention. Together, they love to tend to their garden, go swimming, and play with their four grandchildren.

Ms. Coppage, alongside our other 20-Year Club members, has had such a consequential and illustrious career. She makes our students better learners, our teachers better teachers, and our school a brighter, more engaged community.

She’s one of our many super heroes.