Courtney Graves

Tell us why you became a teacher

I became a teacher because I love helping kids discover their passions in life. I became a teacher because I get to see the "aha" moment click in their brains - and see their joy from it. I became a teacher because I want my students to know that there will always be someone on their side; someone who will always care, always listen, always support and encourage, and always love them.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

I have a couple memorable teaching experiences where I can't decide on just one. The first one is when I read "Because of Winn-Dixie" with my 2nd graders. We wrote a letter to Kate DiCamillo and she wrote back to us. (HOW INSPIRING!) The second experience was when we created volcanoes and did an experiment to set them off; my students were so excited. The last experience was this year when we did a unit on MLK Jr. and created portraits of him. (The kids were so engaged!)

What would you do with the $25,000?

If I won the $25,000, I would use a couple of different ways. I would buy new books for my classroom. I would use some to get a speaker to come into my classroom such as Kate DiCamillo (I was so inspired when Erin Gruwell had Miep Gies come into the class and speak). Lastly, I would use money to travel Europe with my family.