Ondria Glaze Obituary, Death Tragedy Strikes Philadelphia’s Olney High School: Beloved Teacher Ondria Glaze, 36, Killed in Murder-Suicide; Community Mourns Loss of Cherished Educator
In a devastating turn of events, Ondria Glaze, a 36-year-old special education compliance monitor and teacher at Olney High School in Philadelphia, lost her life in a tragic murder-suicide incident on Monday. The community is reeling in shock and grief as they mourn the loss of a cherished educator who embodied the school’s motto, “Olney Love.”
Ondria Glaze was found at the scene on the 1300 block of South 30th Street, where she sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the head. Another individual, 42-year-old Richard Harper, was discovered with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. A firearm was recovered near his body, according to the police.
Principal Michael Roth of Olney High School expressed his heartfelt condolences, describing Glaze as a long-standing and beloved teacher who personified the school’s motto. “She embodied this principle and positively impacted every student and staff member she encountered,” Roth stated. “Her absence will be deeply felt, and we extend our sympathies to her family, students, our staff, and the entire school community.”
Glaze dedicated over a decade to Olney High School, earning the respect and admiration of her students and colleagues. They regarded her as a member of their extended family, with junior Joseph Peralta describing her as “more than just a friend, she was like a sister to all of us.” Senior Kai Sutton fondly remembered her kindness, saying, “Miss Glaze was the kindest person I ever met. She always had a smile on her face whenever you saw her.”
Following the news of her passing, a memorial spontaneously formed on the doors of her office, with students and staff paying tribute to her memory. A candlelight vigil is scheduled for 6:15 p.m. on Monday, May 13, and a GoFundMe campaign has been initiated to establish a scholarship fund in her honor.
The School District of Philadelphia’s Office of Prevention and Intervention has been on-site at the school, providing support and resources to students, staff, and faculty. Counselors and mental health professionals are available to assist those affected by this tragedy.
Ondria Glaze’s legacy will live on through the countless lives she touched and the impact she had on her students and colleagues. Her kindness, dedication, and positive spirit will be deeply missed, but her memory will continue to inspire future generations.
The community is coming together to support one another during this difficult time, and the school has launched the “Ondria Glaze Olney Love Scholarship” in her memory. This scholarship will be awarded annually to a graduating senior who embodies the spirit of “Olney Love” and demonstrates kindness, compassion, and dedication to their community.
As the investigation into this tragic incident continues, the community remains united in their grief and support for one another. Ondria Glaze’s memory will forever be cherished, and her legacy will continue to inspire acts of kindness and love in the days ahead.
