Jan. 18 marked the highest one-day positivity rate of the school year when 602 students and 116 teachers tested positive. In addition, 115 students and 30 teachers were quarantined.
Polk teacher of the year overcame adversity to inspire students
Jennifer Epstein reports
LAKELAND, Fla. - Maude Graham has many titles. She is a teacher, a mentor, a student and she can now add winner to the list. Mrs. Graham is 2021 s Polk County Teacher of the Year. I don t know if you can hear it in my voice, I am still in shock. There are so many deserving teachers in Polk County, Graham said in disbelief.
Selected from seven finalists, Graham received her award during a small, socially distanced banquet back in January. Nearly four months later, she says she s still surprised.
Maude Graham talks to children about how failure isn't a dead-end, how they must have a plan B and plan C in place, and encourages them to avoid a fixed mindset which means making the same mistake again and again.