Some teachers teach a lesson. Others build a foundation that lasts a lifetime. Mrs. Margaret Griffith, a second-grade teacher at FPA Millbranch, is one of those rare educators who does both, and her dedication has not gone unnoticed.
Mrs. Griffith was recently named the recipient of the Urban Child Institute‘s award in recognition of her excellence in grade level reading. In celebration of teacher appreciation, Katherine Bryan, Program Director, and Gary Shorb, Executive Director of the Urban Child Institute, paid a surprise visit to FPA Millbranch to present a gift to the school in Mrs. Griffith’s honor.
“You take the extra time as an investment in a child’s development,” Bryan shared with Mrs. Griffith during the visit.
How the Surprise Came to Be
According to Mr. Shorb and Mrs. Bryan, the idea for the surprise came about quite suddenly. While exploring ways to increase reading proficiency, the Urban Child Institute came across a recent Choose901 article that mentioned Mrs. Griffith. Their interest was sparked right away.
Mrs. Bryan dove into some thorough research and discovered what she called Freedom Prep’s “secret sauce”: at FPA, teachers don’t just check on a student’s academics; they also check on the well-being of the whole family.
“The wraparound services that a child and family need are what catch our attention,” Bryan shared. The Urban Child Institute recognizes teachers of excellence because they understand a simple truth: when we celebrate the people who pour into our children, we strengthen the entire community. Their gift to Freedom Prep Millbranch is more than an award. It is a thank-you note to every educator who shows up early, stays late, and believes that every child deserves a strong start.
A Legacy That Follows Her
Now in her 25th year of teaching and her 5th year at FPA Mrs. Griffith has taught both first and second grade at FPA Millbranch. Her impact stretches all the way back to her very first teaching job more than 20 years ago, and it has followed her ever since. She goes above and beyond to make sure her students and their families feel supported, not just for a school year, but for years to come.
For Mrs. Griffith, strong readers are built one step at a time. “The foundation that comes before me, Pre-K and Kinder, has got to be strong so that first graders can learn what they need to, so that when they’re in second grade, we’ve solidified an early childhood literacy foundation,” she explained.
When asked how it felt to receive the surprise, her joy was clear. “It is such a joy to realize that our efforts at FPA are noticed and celebrated!”
Congratulations, Mrs. Griffith! Thank you for the time, heart, and care you pour into every child who walks through your door. Your students are lucky to have you, and so are we. We are deeply grateful to the Urban Child Institute for this generous gift and for championing early literacy across Memphis. Come back to visit us soon!
