Chasity McCraw, the 2013 Valedictorian of Crest High School and a 2017 graduate of Gardner-Webb University, has taught math for four years at Thomas Jefferson. Upper Campus Assistant Principal Mike Fair described Ms. McCraw as “a star teacher.” “She is always extremely well prepared for her classes, and she is masterful at helping her students understand why math works the way that it does. She designs activities for the students that engage them and challenge them to think about the deeper workings of mathematics. She is also great at building relationships with her students. It is remarkable that such a young teacher is receiving this honor!” For herself, McCraw said that she knew at a young age that she wanted to teach, and she knew that it would be math when she learned how to add variables in Pre-Algebra. “It was like a big puzzle for me,” McCraw shared, “and helping my students see math as a giant puzzle that is really approachable is my goal as a teacher.” McCraw said that she feels “extremely honored” and “is truly humbled to be named Teacher of the Year among such a strong faculty at TJ.”