Golden Apple Winner Makes Math Fun

PALM DESERT -So many teachers work hard and dedicate themselves to their students here in the desert. Every month we honor a teacher making a difference with the KESQ ” Golden Apple” award. November’s winner is Laura Graff from College of the Desert.

When you think of math, I doubt fun ever comes to mind, but students in Mrs. Graff’s class disagree.

” I don’t dread class, it’s sweet,” says Adriana Garcia, student in Mrs.Graff’s class.

However, it’s more than simply math that Garcia likes, it’s Graff and how she teaches it.

Garcia use to struggle with math, until she enrolled in Graff’s intermediate algebra class at C.O.D.

” Everything clicked and made sense,” says Garcia. ” I like coming to class. The way she teaches it, it just seems logical.”

That’s Graff’s goal, she says the key to understanding math is learning to read the textbook.

” They realize it’s not just a big box with problems, it’s something with information,” says Graff. ” I’m giving them guidance on how to work it out. It’s wonderful to see students have that ‘ah-ha’ moment.”

Graff had an “ah-ha” moment of her own, when she realized math was her calling.

” When I’m feeling down, my friends ask me if I have a happy place. I tell them, my happy place is here,” says Graff. ” I’m fortunate with my job.”

However, Garcia says, she’s the fortunate one. Graff changed her life and made her a committed student.

” Had it not been for her, who knows where I’d be now,” says Garcia.

So, where is she now? In Mrs. Graff’s trigonometry class. She’s taking it for fun.

” It’s not required for my degree, but I’m in here because I missed math,” says Garcia.

Graff says knowing she’s instilled a passion for learning is priceless.

” It feels fantastic, it’s the biggest paycheck I’ve ever got,” says Graff.

If you’d like to nominate a teacher for a ” Golden Apple” award, go to our homepage and click on the ” Golden Apple Award” link.