About Me

Cheryl A. Graff is a dedicated Special Education/English Language Arts teacher at Lake View High School (LVHS) in Chicago, Illinois.Ms.Graff joined the LVHS faculty in 2022. Her career has spanned from teaching English as part of the Talma program in a Bedouin community in the Negev of Israel to the North Side of Chicago. Ms. Graff remains passionate about using literature to foster global connections and leveraging technology to bridge accessibility gaps.

Ms. Graff holds both a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in Special Education from Michigan State University, as well as an English as a Second Language endorsement and a Director of Special Education endorsement from National Louis University.

As an ISTE Certified Educator,Google Champion (Certified Trainer and Innovator), and Kahoot! Ambassador,Ms.Graff is a leader in embedding technology into her daily classroom instruction. She was recently featured by Verizon Innovative Learning and Digital Promise for her forward-thinking use of AI and tech-driven strategies to support diverse learners.

A frequent speaker at the Illinois Digital Education Conference (IDEACON) and a guest on the No Name Paper Podcast,Ms. Graff is committed to providing opportunities for students with disabilities that extend far beyond the classroom walls. At LVHS, she is an active member of the Technology Leadership Cohort (TLC),where she leads professional development to help colleagues integrate the latest classroom tools.

Ms. Graff believes the world is the ultimate classroom. She serves as the program leader for the Wildcat Global Exchange, a 10-day cultural immersion trip to Germany, and sponsors the LVHS Culture Club, which hosts monthly city outings to engage students with Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods.

Beyond international travel,Ms. Graff is an advocate for her students’ independence.She frequently organizes post-secondary field trips designed to prepare students with disabilities for a successful and confident transition to life after high school. These learning opportunities range from community beach cleanups and hands-on cooking classes to professional resume photography workshops and financial literacy sessions focused on credit management.

When she is not empowering students, Ms. Graff is a recognized Contralto singer within the Chicago arts community. Her recent vocal achievements include:

• National Semifinalist: CS Vocal Competition (Pre-professional Musical Theater)

• Alternate: American Vocal Traditions Competition

Diverse learners find independence and confidence in technology

Special Education teacher Cheryl Graff uses AI and other innovative strategies to keep her students on track. Click here to read the full article from Verizon Innovative Learning and Digital Promise, or watch the video below.

Disclaimer  - This website is not an official U.S. Department of State website. The views and information presented are the participant's own and do not represent the Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms Program, the U.S. Department of State, or IREX.