<Tr> <Th> Occupation </Th> <Td> Show choir director daycare operator </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Children </Th> <Td> Rachel Berry (biological) Beth Corcoran (adoptive) </Td> </Tr> <P> Shelby Corcoran is a recurring fictional character from the Fox musical comedy - drama series Glee . Portrayed by actress Idina Menzel, Shelby was introduced in the fourteenth episode of the show as the coach of Vocal Adrenaline, a rival show choir to New Directions, the show's primary musical group . Fans had lobbied for Menzel to be cast as Rachel Berry's (Lea Michele) biological mother, due to the strong physical resemblance between Menzel and Michele . After it is revealed that Shelby is, in fact, Rachel's biological mother, Shelby discloses that she had signed a contract that stated that she could not seek out her daughter until she was eighteen . She tells Rachel that instead of trying to act like mother and daughter, they should just be grateful that they have met, and maintain their distance . </P> <P> In the season one finale, Shelby adopts Quinn and Puck's newborn daughter, Beth . She leaves Vocal Adrenaline before the beginning of the next school year . Shelby returns in the second episode of the third season, having been recruited to lead a second glee club at McKinley High by Sugar Motta's father when Sugar is refused entry into New Directions . Shelby offers to include both Quinn and Puck in Beth's life . Struggling at being a mother, she forms a romantic bond with eighteen - year - old student Puck, leading to a sexual relationship before she tells him that their relationship is a mistake and resigns from McKinley in the eighth episode . While Menzel's musical performances on the show have been lauded, Shelby's storylines were characterized as rushed, incomprehensible and polarizing by contemporary reviewers . </P>

Who plays rachel's birth mom on glee