Speaker: Courtney Graves, 2nd Grade Teacher
Tell us about your favorite teacher or colleague, and why they inspire you.
Courtney Graves: Hi, my name is Courtney Graves and I'm a second grade teacher at Waynesboro public school district in Lanesborough, Minnesota. My favorite teacher growing up and now that I'm an adult would have to be my high school science teacher. Mrs Jordan Nelson. Mrs Jordan Nelson has been one of my favorite people since I stepped foot in her room in eighth grade year. Ready to start some earth science. She has shown me so much support and encouragement and compassion and she challenges me and she has been such a bright light in my life and I am so thankful for her. One of the reasons why I chose her as my favorite teacher and why she inspires me so much is because every single day, um she would show up for us, she would always show us how much she cares about us and how much she loves us. And that is something that I took with me to instill into my classroom. Um, she has taught me about integrity and kindness and the qualities of a good person and she has just been someone I look up to and I am forever thankful for her. So thank You Mrs Nelson.
What's your favorite part about being a teacher?
Courtney Graves: My favorite part about teaching is being able to build relationships with the students and um just having that possibility of making a difference in their lives and definitely just joking around and simply just having fun and enjoying the little things.
