The Master Teacher Wall: Honoring Graland's Faculty & Staff
One of the most notable features in the Georgia Nelson Building is the collection of black and white photographs that are showcased along the stairway to the second floor. Recently, you may have noticed that three more framed photos were added: those of this year’s honorees, Josh Cobb, Anita Humeyumptewa, and Dana Rankin.
At the Alumni Reunion on May 21, the Ruth Gorham Alumni Award was presented to Ben Duke, Class of 1968. Ben created the Master Teacher’s Program in 1998 while serving as Graland’s Director of Development and Alumni Relations, in addition to Assistant Head of School.
Ben chose twenty years of service to Graland to acknowledge those individuals for their loyalty, expertise, and dedication, although he noted that many teachers with fewer years have also made great contributions to the school.
At the heart of the Master Teacher Wall is an oil painting portrait of Miss Nelson, the founding Headmistress of Graland, along with “To lead, to follow, and to share” - a phrase Ben recalled Miss Nelson saying when he was a young student there.
Initially, there were thirty teachers who met the criteria as a Master Teacher. Ben solicited the help of William Martinez, a professional photographer and the husband of Beryl Martinez, one of the first honorees.
Almost every year, dedicated and skillful teachers are added to the wall. Undoubtedly, each photograph has a special story behind it.
Won’t if be fun to watch for the addition of new photographs honoring faculty and staff who also have made their mark on Graland and its illustrious history?
Graland Country Day School
Graland Country Day School is a private school in Denver, Colorado, serving students in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. Founded in Denver in 1927, Graland incorporates a rich, experiential learning approach in a traditional classroom setting, emphasizing the development of globally and socially conscious leaders who excel academically.
