Teachers Impact Our Students

“I was drawn to the Street School because, believe it or not, I was missing being around teenagers! My three children left for college, and I was trying to decide what to do next. I had a chance to interview for an English Teacher position at the Winston-Salem Street School, and it seemed like it was where I was meant to be.”

With a background in teaching students with learning differences and a heart for counseling and supporting young people, Kathy Graves found that the Street School perfectly combined her educational training, love of reading, and desire to mentor teens during a challenging season of their lives.

“Every day that I have the chance to teach, counsel, laugh, and spend time with our students is a gift. It brings me so much joy to be part of their lives, and the kids have blessed me in so many ways.”

Her first year came with a steep learning curve. “There were days when I made mistakes, days when I heard heartbreaking stories, and times when I got in my car after school and cried,” she shares. “But there were also small steps forward, lively class discussions, victories both academic and personal, and students crossing the stage to receive their hard-earned diplomas.”

At the Street School, students often arrive facing significant challenges—family struggles, mental health concerns, or barriers in traditional school settings. “As a staff, we try to meet students where they are. We offer love and grace paired with expectations and goals.”

In Kathy’s classroom, creating a safe and welcoming environment is a priority. Each day begins with students sharing a positive story, a challenge, or even just one word to describe how they feel. “Every voice is heard,” she says, “and over time, that builds trust and community.” One of her students, Zarahya, captured Kathy’s impact best, “If you need a therapist, some cookies, or a book, Ms. KG is who you need to see!”

“I admire these students because they choose to show up every day despite the hardships they face. There are students who work the night shift and come to school the next morning for a full day; students who have faced violence in their personal lives and still get up, come to school, and work toward a better future. There are grieving students who have lost a loved one yet find the strength to keep going. I know so many of their stories now, and I am amazed by the resilience I see.”

“If they can show up, then I owe them my very best—compassion, energy, consistency, and grace. Our students deserve nothing less!”