Kittitas Math Teacher To Receive CWU Alumni Award

October 11, 2004

Contact: Tess McShane (509-963-1423/fax 509-963-2301/e-mail: mcshanet@cwu.edu)

ELLENSBURG, Wash. - Linda Graf gets an A+ from the Central Washington University Alumni Association. Graf will receive the association's special achievement award during the annual homecoming banquet and awards ceremony on Friday, Oct. 15.

Every fall, the CWU Alumni Association presents a special achievement award to an alumna or alumnus who demonstrates outstanding achievement in their professional field. Former students, friends, faculty and staff make nominations and the Alumni Association board of directors makes the final selection.

"It's flattering and an honor to be recognized by my alma mater," said Graf, "especially since CWU is a university known for it's education program and so many excellent teachers have graduated from there."

A 1993 CWU education graduate, Graf also received a master's degree in education from City University in 2000. She is married to her college sweetheart, John Graff, who is also a teacher. They live in the Kittitas Valley and have two children, daughter McKenzie, 11, and son Benjamin, 3.

Graf has been a teacher for more than 10 years and currently teaches 7th and 8th grade math at Kittitas Middle School and 9-12 grade math at the Kittitas High School. In the past she has also taught for the Grandview and Cle Elum school districts.

She is also the 2003 recipient of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics Teaching. The honor is bestowed by the White House and administered by the National Science Foundation. Recipients are awarded a $10,000 gift and serve as models for their colleagues.

In addition, Graff is a member of The Council of Presidential Awardees in Mathematics, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Washington State Mathematics Council, and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.