About me
Laureen Graves is a passionate educator, married to Christopher Graves, with four children and six grandchildren who bring immense joy to their lives. The role of being GG is a most cherished role! As a committed advocate for the teaching profession, Laureen hopes to prepare students to become highly qualified, effective, and memorable teachers that truly make a difference. With a focus on building relationships and connection, Laureen is dedicated to providing innovative leadership and teaching excellence within the teacher education department at Southern Utah University. She is often found saying, "It's all about relationships!"Currently serving as Field Services Director and Assistant Professor at SUU, Laureen teaches a variety of courses, including Secondary Classroom Management, Student Teaching Courses, and SPED Law. In addition to teaching, Laureen is thrilled to supervise and mentor student teachers and support them on their journey toward professional licensure.With extensive experience in special education, Laureen has made significant contributions for students with special needs. Throughout her career, Laureen has worked to become an effective teacher, supervisor, problem solver, and mentor, ensuring that field experiences and student teaching placements give students a positive start to their teaching career.Recognized for excellence in teaching, Laureen has received multiple awards, most recently the Southern Utah University Distinguished Educator Award and NSLS Leader Impact Award in April 2025, and the USBE 2025-2026 Marvelous Mentor award. Through continuous collaboration, leadership, and dedication, Laureen remains committed to advancing education and positively impacting students’ lives.
