Meet the energetic new music teacher at St. Mary’s School in Caledonia, Molly Graff. She comes from a family of teachers. In fact, she is the fourth generation of teachers in her family and the second-generation music teacher. Her mother recently retired from teaching music.
“It holds a special place in my heart that my great-great-grandma was a teacher, and then both of my grandparents, my maternal grandparents, were teachers, or in the education field too. My mom was a teacher, and so was my dad, and now I’m a teacher too,” said Molly.
She is from Holman, Wis., and grew up involved in band, choir, show choir, marching band, pep band, and jazz band. She also took private lessons outside of school and participated in the church choir and sports. She graduated high school in 2019.
Molly attended Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. During her freshman year she was sent home on March 15 because of COVID-19. In 2023, she student-taught from September through December, followed by a long-term sub assignment during the first two months of 2024.
The start of her first-year teaching has been quite a whirlwind. She shared, “I applied about August 1, interviewed on the third, and was hired by the sixth. Oh, my gosh! School started on the 19th, so it was a really quick turnaround to get started, especially for my first year of teaching. It was kind of just a big surprise with everything happening all at once, but I don’t regret it for anything because I’ve really enjoyed being here so far, and I love the kids.”
Molly teaches PreK-8th grade, which includes two PreK classes. The students are probably pretty happy that she does not give them homework.
Molly shared that it’s the little things that gets them excited when the light bulb goes off.
The students have Mass twice a week and the students lead Mass. Molly is teaching the students various songs so if they attend a different Catholic church, they will hopefully be familiar with the music.
When asked about her long-term educational games, she answered, “The main thing I want is to be the music teacher that the kids not necessarily want, but the one they need. I want to create an environment for them where they feel safe and appreciate the music that they’re making. Because if they sing a wrong note, who cares? Molly wants her students to appreciate music for the long term and that there is more out there than just the same things that they listen to. She wants to expand their horizons.
She shared that the community of Caledonia and the church have made her feel very welcomed, and that her experience at St. Mary’s is the best teaching experience she has had.
After the interview, it was time to take pictures. Molly was eager to have her picture taken in front of a wall hanging that her mom used in her classroom. The sign illustrates how music encompasses all subjects in one way or another: M stands for math, U is for language, S stands for history, I is for reading, and C is for science.
Welcome to Caledonia, Molly!
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