When Samford University alumna Grace Hemmer '24 stepped into her seventh-grade social studies classroom at Chelsea Middle School for the first time last August, she brought a philosophy that has guided her through her first year of teaching: know your students and build relationships first.

That approach recently earned Hemmer First-Year Secondary Teacher of the Year for Shelby County Schools, an honor recognizing her impact during her first year in the classroom. Hemmer double-majored in secondary education (SEED) and history through Samford’s Orlean Beeson School of Education and Howard College of Arts and Sciences.

Through extensive student teaching opportunities, she entered her first classroom with confidence.

"I felt so confident because I'd seen so many other teachers teach, and my student teaching allowed me to teach full lessons," Hemmer said. "The School of Education gave me the confidence to step into my teaching career."

Although she once considered teaching at the elementary level, her passion for history ultimately led her to secondary education.

"I couldn't get away from the idea of teaching history," she said. "I love to study it, and it's not something I'm bored by. Every time I study a new topic or a new section of time, there's more that I uncover to learn about."

Her enthusiasm for the subject has translated into creative learning experiences for students. One of the highlights of her first year was a "Greek feast" project during a unit on ancient Greece and Rome. Students selected a Greek god or goddess to portray, created an "all about me" poster and either dressed as their character or brought an authentic Greek dish.

"This day was a highlight of year one for me and even more so for my students," Hemmer said.

The experience reinforced an important lesson for the first-year teacher. Students not only enjoyed the activity but were also deeply engaged with the content.

"A fun part was watching them treat each other how their characters would treat each other," Hemmer said. "It was a reality check for me in terms of realizing that my students actually enjoyed learning this way and took it seriously."

Throughout her first year, Hemmer focused on creating meaningful opportunities for student engagement, including classroom debates that encourage every student to participate.

"Every student's voice got to be heard through the debates, and it proved to be more valuable to them than a quiz on the material," she said.

That mindset stems from advice she received while studying at Samford. Erin Gilchrist, associate professor of secondary curriculum and instruction, shared a phrase that continues to shape Hemmer's teaching today: "Know your who."

For Hemmer, that means understanding the students in front of her and making instructional decisions based on their needs.

"Getting to know who is in my room drives every decision I make for my classroom," she said. "It helps me put emphasis on creating relationships with my students because relationships have to come first."

She believes students learn best when they know they are valued.

"You can't force students to learn, and when they know you care, it opens up a different side of them," she said.

That belief is reflected in a banner displayed across the back of her classroom that reads, "This classroom is better with you in it."

"I face that banner every time I stand up to teach," Hemmer said. "It's a reminder that they are better because they are here, and I'm also better because of them."

As she reflects on receiving First-Year Secondary Teacher of the Year, Hemmer views the recognition as an affirmation of the hard work, perseverance and growth that defined her first year.

"I'm proud of myself for all the late nights I had this year, for all the things I tried over and over and my ability to adapt," she said. "Your first year is all about learning and trying over and over until something sticks."

Now preparing for her second year in the classroom, Hemmer remains focused on the students who inspired her to become a teacher in the first place and the calling she has felt since childhood.

"I'm asked all the time what my dream job was as a kid," she said. "It's exactly what I do now."

In this photo from 2004, Hemmer reads to her collection of stuffed animals, many years before beginning her career in education.