Tim Graves, Penfield High School
By: Kevin Doran
Updated: March 8, 2011
Students at Penfield High School feed off the passion of this week's News 8 Golden Apple Award winner. Watch as we surprise Tim Graves.
Mr. Graves is a man who clearly loves his job. And that rubs off on students like Sophomore Doug Uhazie. "I enjoy the passion and energy Mr. Graves brings to the classroom. It really gets the students excited to be there and learn. And we really get to feed off his positive energy."
Principal Tom Putnam says students can't help but enjoy learning with Tim Graves. "So the passion he has for a subject like History, which as a former History teacher can be a little dry, absolutely changes that classroom environment. And kids learn to love history just as much as that passionate teacher teaching it loves history."
Mr. Graves has been a teacher at Penfield High for 15-years. Doug says he's the kind of guy who inspires you to do well for yourself and for him. And he asked us to say thank you. "Wow I'm overwhelmed" said Tim. "I really appreciate this Doug, thanks for thinking of me."
Mr. Graves says he gets as much from his students as he gives to them. "That's what I feed off of, their passion, their curiosity and it's really a pleasure to get to work with my AP World and SUPA Sociology students every day. It's certainly more than just a paycheck, that's for sure. I think anything you invest yourself in regarding, I don't know, the education process, It has to be love, dedication for them first, so. That's what I strive to do."
Tim Graves is a News 8 Golden Apple Award winner. You can read Doug's letter nominating him below.
Dear Channel 8,
I would like to nominate my awesome AP World History teacher Mr. Tim Graves. I always look forward to ending my day with 9th period because he is always energetic and enthusiastic about discussing world history. He gets me pumped to be in the classroom.
I have never seen any teacher who can match his passion and love for teaching his students. His endless knowledge of what is happening in the world now and what happened in history amazes me and gets me interested in our world.
He also teaches SUPA Sociology which is an elective for upperclassmen and I can't wait to enroll in that course in my future years at Penfield High School.
Sincerely,
Doug Uhazie
Sophomore, Penfield High School
