Dr. Morquecho Testimonials
Thursday, October 12, 2023
To whom it may concern:
For the last ten years, I have worked alongside a wonderful principal, Dr. Gabrielle Morquecho, whose strategic leadership led to great improvements at an amazing school, Hutchinson Central Technical High School in Buffalo, NY. I began teaching in 1992, and I have worked in rural, urban, and suburban schools across the northeastern United States. Before arriving at Hutch Tech, I taught grades 7-12 (ELA) in Massachusetts, then became a NYC public school teacher while pursuing my M.Ed. at Teachers College, Columbia University. After moving to Buffalo in 2003, I became a college administrator at Canisius College in Buffalo, NY, after which I began my current position as an Instructional Coach under Dr. Morquecho’s leadership. Having worked for several leaders in the education field over a thirty-year period, I can confidently say that Dr. Morquecho has a keen sense of the actions a building and district can take to make improvements to teaching, learning, and school climate.
Hutch Tech is an Engineering High School known for challenging academics and a strong history of Career and Technical Education. Students graduate with CTE endorsements, and, last year, Hutch Tech had a 94% graduation rate, and 73% of our students obtained a Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation. When Dr. Morquecho first became principal, most students were not even aware of the opportunity to earn various endorsements on their diplomas from the NYS Board of Regents. Steady growth in these areas can be directly attributed to Dr. Morquecho’s strategic redesign of programs and close monitoring of the progress of each teacher and student, to be sure all students have opportunities to enroll in AP and other rigorous courses. Dr. Morquecho was committed to providing all students rigorous coursework while teaching us to care for one another and ourselves and to “live between a 4 and a 6.”
Dr. Morquecho designed a conceptual framework for the school, The Tech Success Blueprint, which has guided teachers and students to maintain a healthy balance while challenging themselves in school and in life. Through applying a Growth Mindset, students and teachers can accept challenges and work together for continuous improvement as a school community. One area of the framework included a STEM literacy initiative, where teachers were trained during the school day in a common language and common processes for reading and writing across the content areas. Emphasis was placed on argument writing and students being able to articulate what they have learned in response to high level, problem-based questioning and projects. Another aspect of the blueprint included student engagement, which Dr. Morquecho cultivated through our nationally recognized JROTC and through structures such as the student council and the Principal’s Advisory Committee. In addition, the school offers more than 20 clubs, a comprehensive before and after school program for academic support, and numerous sports in each season. Students come to school each Friday in the maroon and white of our school, exhibiting pride for being part of a community that cares about each of them succeeding. Dr. Morquecho was also proud to call us “One Tech,” and her culture of care made us feel united as a family.
Year after year, our Ed Climate survey data has shown that students were comfortable here at Tech, they had adults they could turn to in a time of need, and they felt the school offered them many opportunities to be engaged and successful. Dr. Morquecho helped support the teachers by offering several opportunities for professional growth such as book studies, sessions on co-teaching, restorative justice, trauma-informed care, special ed and ENL teaching strategies, and the importance of building relationships with children and their caretakers. Teachers were trained in academic circles to increase student engagement and other collaborative teaching strategies which increase student talk time and build community among diverse classrooms. But, beyond the usual professional development, Dr. Morquecho also listened to her teachers and encouraged us to care for ourselves and one another so we could do the demanding work of teaching well.
With her intelligence and sparkling personality, Dr. Morquecho lead Hutch Tech, and her experiences as a teacher and leader of Buffalo’s largest high school made amazing improvements and left systems and structures in place that operate smoothly now that she has moved on to the next stage of her career.
I recommend Dr. Morquecho, highly and without reservation as a consultant to any school or district looking for a leader with high expectations, creativity, passion for the teaching profession, and a love for the potential and wisdom each child possesses when they arrive in our schools.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth C. Brandjes
Instructional Coach
Hutch Tech High School
Industrial Medicine Associates
c/o Kevin P. Duffy, Psy.D.
699 Hertel Avenue
Unit 355
Buffalo, NY 14207
(800) 897-5252
It is with great pleasure that I write in support of Dr. Gabrielle Morquecho. I have known Dr. Morquechofor over 20 years as my building principal at Grover Cleveland High School and Hutchinson Central Technical High School.
A natural leader, I can assure that you will come to know Dr. Morquecho as an effective facilitator and excellent social liaison. She has a knack for putting others at ease and possesses the natural ability to carry on conversations about any of a variety of topics be it education, business, leadership or science. I think about the things Dr. Morquecho has accomplished throughout hercareer, including being a remarkable special education teacher, an amazing school leader and a visionary in implementing school-based mental health centers in her school buildings, and I am awed. Despite the politics and other barriers that inevitably arose, Dr. Morquecho found a way to implement sound practices that positively impacted student outcomes and staff work-life balance.
Dr. Morquecho is an outstanding educator dedicated to her profession. She has proven herself to be a person of integrity who operates from a clear sense of a fair value system. Dr. Morquecho has a personality that exudes approachability and kindness. Her positive outlook on life and sense of humor were welcome attributes that helped us through many difficult days. Dr. Morquecho has proven that she possesses the skills, vision, and personality to inspire others. I can think of no better person to enter the field of educational consulting and leadership.
_________________________
Kevin P. Duffy, Psy.D., ABPdN
NYS Licensed Psychologist
Board Certified Pediatric Neuropsychologist
I worked with Dr. Gabrielle Morquecho for seven years and under her leadership we took Hutchinson Central Technical High School,an urban school of 1200 students 9-12 from good and turned it into a great school. Crafting a culture of care and imbedding it with high expectations for all was the recipe for success. We increased AP course offeringsfrom 5 to 17. Created a system of academic support to match students’ needs and life’s schedule by offering AM and PM options while still offering enough to serve 20-25% of student enrollment daily. Established a clear path of priorities that everyone understood from students, parents, and staff in which students felt safe, student voice was accepted, and school priorities were always made with student’s best interest in mind. The growth over seven years took graduation rate from 88% to 94% all while increasing student’s diplomas with advanced designation (73%) and with additional academic recognition to include Mastery or Honors in Math and/or Science, Seal of Civic Readiness, Seal of Biliteracy, and CTE endorsement. Growth and struggles go hand in hand but with the right vision and leadership any school can make it.
Pedro J. Estrada
Principal
Frank A. Sedita Academy
I worked with Dr. Gabrielle Morquecho and under her guidance, Hutchinson Central Technical High School transformed into a beacon of academic excellence and student success. Her leadership style was characterized by collaboration, student-focused decision making, and an outcome-driven approach.
Dr. Morquecho’s dedication to collaboration ensured that decisions were made with the direct involvement of those impacted, fostering a sense of ownership and unity among staff and students alike. Her decisions were always student-focused, examining each situation with the question, ‘How will this benefit students?’ This approach made certain that every action taken was in the best interest of each of our students.
Dr. Morquecho also implemented academic support such as Extended Day programs in the mornings and afternoons, home visits to students/families, and the development of strategies to help individual students experience success. These supports played a crucial role in improving student performance and increasing engagement.
She cultivated a positive school environment and climate, maintaining a culture of Care, One Tech Family, where all students felt important, valued, and accepted. Every morning, Dr. Morquecho would wait by the school door and greet each student as they entered the school building. The ‘Techtonian’ character of our school was a testament to the community support and acceptance that she fostered.
Student engagement was a priority for Dr. Morquecho. She ensured that aside from a robust course offering, students were also provided with a wide array of different sports, clubs, and school events to participate in, from school dances and Pi Day to Prom. Our students were even given the opportunity and encouraged to start their own club if there was a strong enough student interest and if they could find a teacher who would serve as the advisor. These activities provided students with a well-rounded educational experience.
School safety was paramount under Dr. Morquecho’s leadership. She established managerial procedures for handling bullying situations, lockdowns, and fire drills, ensuring the safety and well-being of all students. She assembled a Student Support Team, comprised of a school psychologist, school social workers, guidance counselors, and an attendance teacher. SST would assist students who face academic and behavioral challenges.
Dr. Gabrielle Morquecho’s leadership was transformative for Hutchinson Central Technical High School. Her dedication to collaboration, student-focused decision making, and outcome-driven leadership, coupled with her commitment to academic excellence and student success, make her an invaluable asset to any district. I wholeheartedly support her consulting endeavors and believe that she will bring the same level of dedication and success to districts across the nation.
Gaetano Falcone
English 7 – 12 teacher
Greetings Colleagues!
I witnessed Dr. Gabrielle Morquecho undertake one of the greatest leadership challenges I’ve ever seen taking the helm of the flagship High School of the Buffalo Public Schools – Hutchinson Central Technical, or simply “Tech” for those of us who called this family home.
Dr. Morquecho identified the critical need to imbue a comprehensive salience of identity in the most diverse and complex learning community in the District. She cast the Vision of the school in the unifying metaphor of family.
This coherence and focus also applied to social-emotional paradigms via her coining the phrase “living between a 4 and a 6” referring to a self-regulation strategy we taught the entire learning community from Opening Day of every school year. We explicitly taught skills and strategies to help kids and adults be reflective and grow in their understanding of internal locus of control, and connecting that agency to a future vision of success.
Results you ask? The school maintained exceptional District-leading performance in literacy over years that saw the demographic of students with disabilities grow from 3% to close to 13%. The emphasis on family and restorative justice in the context of social-emotional learning framed disciplinary incidents as opportunities to heal and even strengthen relationships. Tech averaged a 90% graduation rate as one of the most ethnically diverse schools in New York State with over 70% of students qualifying for Title I benefits.
Dr. Gabrielle Morquecho commands the theory, and leverages insights gleaned from a highly successful leadership praxis that will empower any learning community to access disproportionately powerful drivers of growth. I commend her to your trust.
Mr. Mercado Testimonials
Dear Mr. Mercado,
I hope this letter finds well. I am writing to give my endorsement for your new consulting business and lend my credibility to your work throughout the years. Having had the privilege of working under your leadership as a math teacher at Buffalo Alternative High School, I can attest to your exceptional qualities as a leader and the positive impact you had on both the school and its students.
One of the aspects that truly set you apart was your student-focused decision-making. You consistently involved those who would be impacted by your decisions and always considered how they would benefit the students. Your commitment to moving forward in meaningful ways was evident in every choice you made.
In addition to your academic initiatives, you established a range of supports to ensure student success. The extended day programs in the morning and afternoon provided students with extra time and resources to excel academically. Additionally, your commitment to home visits and phone calls to students and their families demonstrated a true dedication to their well-being. The advisory meetings, where talented teachers assisted struggling students, created an environment of support and collaboration. These strategies, among others, helped foster an atmosphere where students experienced success and felt valued.
Furthermore, your efforts to create a positive school environment and climate were truly commendable. You fostered a culture of connection, making every student feel secure and capable of achieving their goals. Your unwavering belief that all students are important and accepted, coupled with your encouragement of the “you can do it” mindset, motivated students to meet the requirements placed before them.
I cannot overlook your commitment to student engagement and well-being beyond the classroom. You actively encouraged student involvement in sports, clubs, and school events, ensuring they had opportunities to explore their interests and develop essential life skills. Moreover, your dedication to helping students find jobs that aligned with their interests showcased your understanding of the importance of real-world experience and the value it adds to their educational journey.
Lastly, I must commend your attention to school safety. Your establishment of managerial procedures and proactive communication with the Buffalo Police, administration, and teachers exemplified your commitment to keeping our school community safe. Your vigilance in addressing bullying situations, conducting lockdown drills, and ensuring adherence to emergency protocols contributed to a secure learning environment for our students.
Reflecting on our time working together, I wholeheartedly endorse you, Mr. Mercado, in any way I can. Your leadership, dedication, and passion for the students and their overall development make you an invaluable asset to any organization. I am confident that your new consulting business will provide school districts with exceptional training in leadership and professional development, backed by years of expertise and successful strategies employed with the Buffalo Board of Education.
Warm regards,
Linda DuBois
Mathematics Teacher
Hutchinson Central Technical High School
LDuBois@buffaloschools.org
June 20, 2016
To whom It May Concern:
I have been a Buffalo Public School mathematics teacher for 26 years. I am currently working at Emerson School of Hospitality, where Rafael Mercado has been our Assistant Principal during the 2015-2016 school year.
Mr. Mercado has assisted our math department in the collection and analysis of data used to drive instruction. He was instrumental in the implementation of differentiated instruction for our repeater Algebra class. He is an advocate for the flipped classroom and provides us numerous demonstrations and resources. His knowledge of educational web resources has helped us to improve our instruction.
I believe he could be an asset to your educational community.
Sincerely,
Nancy Gallagher
April 1, 2024
In the Fall of 2015, I had the distinct pleasure of working under the leadership of Mr. Rafael Mercado. He was introduced to us, at Emerson School of Hospitality in Buffalo, NY, as our new Assistant Principal at September’s first faculty meeting, I was struck to see this man approach the podium with poise and purpose. In his hand, a book, Pedagogy of The Oppressed by Paulo Freire. He read a few sentences and went on to explain his beliefs on education. I ordered the book before the end of the day. Here, I thought, finally, a leader with compassion and intelligence. Someone who understands the challenges of working with what some call ‘marginalized’ populations of students but recognizes the core worth and value of every individual student. In that school year, I saw a leader who possessed the ability to create change and impact the climate and culture of a school. For Mr. Mercado, it is his person-first approach that leads to the honest and whole education of children and teenagers who struggle to find their path in a community of obstacles, to find light in a sometimes-dark place. Mr. Mercado understands that educators and their leaders need tools, and the skill to use them, to build the bridge for each student that they may cross to find their road to success.
Sara Simmons, Special Educator Teacher (2000-present)
To whom it may concern;
It is a pleasure to write in support of Mr. Rafael Mercado. I have known Mr. Mercado for over 20 years as a building administrator at Grover Cleveland High School and at the Alternative High School in the Buffalo Public School District in Buffalo, NY. I witnessed the strong leadership skills of Mr. Rafael Mercado first-hand in our daily work to meet the needs of both communities in our urban school district.
Having a humorous, warm, and accepting demeanor, Mr. Rafael Mercado was able to forge connections with our most challenging students and parents. His regular presence in the hallways and cafeteria provided calm structure with support and a never-ending level of guidance. You would often hear Mr. Mercado ask individual students, “how are your grades?”, “let me know if you need help” and “tell me about the test?”. As a result, students and staff were motivated and were encouraged to put-forth effort to be successful.
I support Mr. Rafael Mercado in his work as a Leadership Consultant. His leadership style made a positive difference in the lives of students and the school community.
Sincerely,
Kevin J. Eberle, EdD.