10/25/2024 -
Gary Graves, a 6th-grade teacher at Mark West Elementary School in Santa Rosa, was named the first Sonoma County Teacher of the Month for the 2024-25 school year.
The Sonoma County Office of Education (SCOE) and radio partners who help organize the Teacher of the Month contest announced Graves as the winner during a school assembly held on Friday, Oct. 25. His family, including his grandchildren and members of his extended family, attended the assembly.
Graves was selected as the winner among dozens of nominations for outstanding educators submitted by parents, students, and school staff from throughout Sonoma County. Nominations for the contest are solicited via on-air aids played on Amaturo Sonoma Media Group’s Hot 101.7 and Froggy 92.9, as well as Wine Country Radio’s Latino 100.9 and Exitos 98.7.
Both media groups partner with SCOE to offer the program, which celebrates extraordinary teachers who go above and beyond to provide students with quality education.
Graves has been a teacher at Mark West Elementary for 32 years and is set to retire at the end of the school year. In his time on campus, he has coached numerous sports teams and established the Noon League, a program that gives students the opportunity to learn new sports and become leaders among their peers. His class has a strong focus on science education, and he is known for his eccentric hat collection, Mark West Principal Kelli Osorio said.
One nomination for Graves referred to him as the “heart of our school,” and highlighted the special effort he puts into providing students with unique learning experiences such as days centered around Egyptian and Greek ancient societies.
“He really makes the effort to get to know the kids and makes them feel welcome in his classroom,” the nomination said. “It’s extremely sweet to see how much the kids enjoy 6th grade with Mr. Graves. I’ve never seen anything like it!”
“We are boldly saying yes to every kid in Sonoma County,” Martin said. “ … If we do this right, years from now, the kids that we are supporting through this collaboration are going to be sitting in this room leading the way for the next generation.”
Thursday’s fundraiser came a month after SchoolsRule celebrated its first distribution, where public school districts and education foundations throughout the region combined received nearly $136,400. Donations are dispersed on a per-student-basis to education foundations and districts who then direct funding to classrooms along several priority areas: literacy; student well-being; agriculture and hospitality; and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math.)
Sonoma County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Amie Carter celebrated the fun and curiosity that Graves infuses into his classroom, components of teaching that set students up to be lifelong learners.
“Congratulations to Mr. Graves for earning this recognition as he approaches the end of his career at Mark West Elementary,” Carter said. “I thank him for his years of service to Sonoma County’s students and wish him a happy retirement.”
During the assembly, Osorio spoke about Graves’ dedication to students and the positive impact he has on the school.
“Mr. Graves truly cares about the way all students feel. He brings out the very best in each of his scholars,” Osorio said. “He develops his students into leaders with some of his own greatest qualities: integrity, honesty, creativity, and passion.”
As the winner of the Teacher of the Month contest, Graves was awarded with a $500 classroom gift card sponsored by Community First Credit Union, a six-month family membership from the Sonoma County Family YMCA in Santa Rosa, and $100 gift cards from Henry Mechanical and Bernstein Orthodontics.
"I'm overwhelmed that parents, kids, and past students appreciate what I have contributed to our incredible school," Graves said after the assembly.
Do you know a teacher who goes above and beyond for their students? Nominations for this program can be submitted at Hot 101.7, Froggy 92.9 , Exitos 98.7, and Latino 100.9.
