Kandi Graves

Tell us why you became a teacher

I became an educator because I deeply understand how one caring adult can change a child’s trajectory. As a special education educator, parent, and advocate, I’ve seen how systems can either lift students up or leave them behind. I chose this path so that I may champion kids who learn differently, to partner with families, and to make schools places where belonging is not only a slogan.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

One of my most memorable moments was watching a student with significant learning challenges present their work independently for the first time. Months earlier, they wouldn’t make eye contact or speak in front of peers. Through patience, structure, and relentless belief, they found their voice. The class erupted in applause. It wasn’t about the assignment, it was about confidence unlocked. That moment affirmed why I do this work.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would invest directly in students and families by creating more sensory-friendly resource spaces, expanding literacy and executive-function supports, and launching family workshops that equip parents to advocate confidently for their children. I would establish a small grant fund for educators to meet urgent classroom needs. Sustainable impact matters to me; this would not be a one-time boost, but a catalyst for long-term change.