From the very first day of school, we rely on our teachers to provide us with knowledge, inspiration and motivation. Many times, there is that one special teacher we'll never forget that always went above and beyond to make sure we had exactly what we needed, not just for school—but for life. Ceola Graham is one of those teachers that many do not forget. A teacher for 23 years in the Madison County School District, Graham was born and raised in Madison, Fl. She moved away from Madison, but came back when her husband retired from the military. She currently works as a kindergarten teacher at Madison County Central School. Graham pursued education with one goal: to make a difference in children's lives. “I know I'm doing what God says I should do,” said Graham. “I'm going to do that to the best of my ability.” Graham especially is touched when she receives letters from past students thanking her for inspiring them to push on and telling her of their future plans after high school. On Tuesday, May 5, Graham was one of the five finalists for the 2016 Macy's/Florida Department of Education Teacher of the Year Award. “It was a surprise at first,” said Graham. “When the Education Commissioner came to the office, I didn't know. Dr. Miles didn't tell me. He told me a parent was in the office, and they were mad. Here I am thinking, 'what did I do?'”
Graham recalls walking into the office so distraught over the supposed angry parent that she did not notice Pam Stewart, Florida Department of Education Commissioner and Vice President, Paul Imbrone, Macy's Vice President of Government and Public Affairs, waiting for her. “It was a great honor to be selected,” said Graham. Graham was presented with a $5,000 check from the Macy's Foundation and a $500 Macy's gift card, along with a generous donation of $1,000 to Madison County Central School. The week of the Macy's Gala in Orlando on July 9 was full of workshops. The theme was “Lead to Inspire.” The workshops included hands-on experiences to improve leadership skills in the classroom. Graham met new teachers and got to know them. Along with the workshops, Graham also attended a Commissioner Reception. “It was fantastic,” said Graham. All of the district teachers nominated for Teacher of the Year as well as the five finalists were shown through a video slideshow at the reception. Graham also recalls having inspirational luncheons with different speakers. Lucas Boyce, author of Living Proof was the speaker that most stood out to her. Lucas' mother was under the influence of drugs and gave him up, and he was adopted by a white woman who nurtured him through every aspect of his life.
Boyce inspires Graham because of all the challenges he had to go through. “He told us things are rough at first, but to continue on,” said Graham. The Macy's Gala at the Hard Rock Live at Universal Studios in Orlando occurred on Friday, July 10. “Macy's did it all,” Graham said. Macy's sponsored the event with the theme “Lead to Inspire.” While Graham was not selected as Teacher of the Year, she was “very happy and enthused” for Diane McKee, an eighth grade Language Arts teacher at William Middle Magnet School in Hillsborough, Fl. The five finalists have become “family” and supported each other from day one. “We were together in Tallahassee, and we were together again in Orlando,” said Graham. Being nominated as Teacher of the Year made Graham realized that she has been noticed as a teacher. “I am doing something for my students,” Graham said. “I love to teach,” said Graham. “I love to see their little light come on.” Since her time as a finalist, Graham has learned so much. She has found new ways to collaborate in the class room and how to have a growth mindset. She looks forward to leading a study group with other kindergarten teachers at MCCS about growth mindsets. She is also looking forward to this school year and helping her students do whatever they need to in order to succeed. “There will be bumps in the road, but that's part of growing,” said Graham.
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1. Photo Submitted. Ceola Graham was awarded $5,000 and announced as one of the five finalists for Teacher of the Year. Pictured standing in the back, from left to right are: Paul Imbrone, Macy's VP of Government and Public Affairs; Ceola Graham, Teacher of the Year Finalist; Pam Stewart, Florida Department of Education Commissioner; Dr. Willie Miles, Principal of Madison County Central; Amy Kendrick, Assistant Principal of Madison County Cental School and Doug Brown, Madison County School Superintendent.