Throughout the month of November, we will be introducing you to the 2022-2023 Glynn County Teachers of the Year.
Erica Grady was named Teacher of the Year at Brunswick High School and is one of five finalists in the running for the Glynn County Teacher of the Year. She has taught American Government, AP Microeconomics/AP Macroeconomics and AP US Government and Politics for five years at BHS. Here are some awesome things you should know.
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Family: Garrett Grady (husband), Greg and Terri Still (Father and Mother), Jim and Jill Grady (Father-in-law and Mother-in law), David and Alison Shores (Brother-in-law and sister), Shannon Grady (Sister-in-law), and Jamie Grady (Sister-in-law).
Who is your role model? I have always looked up to my sister, Alison Still Shores. She taught me from a young age to never give up and to keep striving to do the most good in the world that you can. She leads by example in her daily life through her positive impact on others and her ability to light up a room when she walks in it. Even though we are older, she continues to motivate me each and every day.
What book has most influenced you? The most influential book that has helped me with my teaching career has been “Teach Like a Pirate” by David Burgess. This book teaches about “building your passion for teaching.” It is a book I reference and re-read when I need some positivity if I am ever having a rough day.
What is your greatest teaching memory? While I was working as a bank teller after college, my coworker had a 2nd grade son that came into the bank and was extremely upset from his day at school. As he threw his backpack down, he sighed on the sofa and started to tear up over his math homework. I walked over and asked “how was your day? You look very down today, what is going on?” He responded that his teacher hated him and that he did not want to even try because he already knew he could not do the work. I sat with him and asked him if I could look at his homework and see if I could find a way to make the problems seem easier. He stopped crying and even cracked a smile as we started to make math fun. That moment was the moment that changed my life. I realized that not all students have the same positive experiences in school that I had and that sparked my passion to make a difference in education.
What is your favorite quote or personal motto? A motto that I live by is more of a Bible verse: “Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you.” It is a great reminder that even if I am having a bad day and nothing seems to be going right, these students and people that I work with are watching and can feed off of my energy. If my energy is negative, then negativity will spread. I choose to spread positivity, while I might not always be successful on the worst of days. Being positive is a goal I try to reach every day.
What is a fact about you that most people don't know? I lettered for four years on the University of Kentucky women’s golf team from 2006-2010.
Any hidden talents or hobbies? My main interests at this time in my life are to be the best teacher and coach’s wife that I can possibly be. I love meeting new people and having a positive impact on others around me.