Educator of the Week: Lisa Graves
It’s time now to recognize this week’s Educator of the Week, brought to you by the Tennessee Education Lottery.
Lisa Graves is a 2nd grade teacher at East Elementary School.
She shares that she was unsure what to do for a career before her decision to become an educator.
“I was actually working at Wilson’s, a factory, at the time and I was thinking ‘what else I could do?’ and I love children, you know, I just really wanted to make a difference in the lives of the children around me, so I decided to go to college and become a teacher,” Graves said.
This is now her 24th year teaching. Graves also shares her hopes for her students.
“I want them to believe in themselves and love animals also, because we’re always talking about animals, so I want them to love wildlife and believe in themselves and know that they can do anything if they try hard enough and believe, you know, that they can,” she said.
Not everything is easy. Graves mentions the struggle of learning how best to teach each child.
“The biggest challenge is meeting the child where they are, because they’re all at different places in their learning, so you’ve got to figure out where they’re out and how you can meet them there and get them to grow.”
Graves also shares how she encourages her students.
“You know, we believe what we think, so we do small group and, you know, I tell them ‘you’re smart,’ you know, and have them repeat it, so it’s a lot of, you know, ‘I can do this, you’re smart’ and some individual work that we do together.”
Graves has advice for future educators.
“You’re gonna learn a lot the first year, so just go in knowing you still got a lot to learn and you can make it that first year. Don’t give up.”
Graves was shocked and happy to receive her nomination.
“I’m so surprised and it feels amazing. Thank you for everyone that voted for me. This is very special.”
Graves is now eligible for the Tennessee Education Lottery Educator of the Month award.
To vote for her or any other nominees, go to the Tennessee Education Lottery website.
To nominate an educator for our Educator of the Week award, email us at [email protected].
