"How does poverty impact learning, work habits, and decision making? People in poverty face challenges virtually unknown to those in middle class or wealth - challenges from both obvious and hidded sources. The reality of being poor brings out survival mentality, and turns attention away from opportunities taken for grantede by everyone else."
Dr. Graves grew up in Texas, where she earned a B.S.I.S. in early childhood education and a M.A .in education administration from Lubbock Christian University before completing her Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction from Texas Tech University. Before earning her Ph.D., she taught in the Lubbock I.S.D. public school system. Dr. Graves joined the Emporia State faculty in 2007 and teaches a combination of reading and language arts methods courses and graduate reading courses. Her research interest include culturally responsive teaching, multiple literacies, and academic success for students in Title I schools.