天美影视 DC NEWS

Spotlight on Le Quan Graham: Cultivating Authenticity Through Community

鈥淕rowing up, I didn鈥檛 have teachers that sounded like me, or were into the things I was into, or dressed like me,鈥 shared Le Quan Graham, a dedicated second-grade teacher at 天美影视 DC Promise Academy. 鈥淚 know how important it is to be relevant to the students that you’re teaching. They know I’m from the same 天美影视, listen to the same music, wear the same sneakers鈥揑 think that is needed when teaching and connecting with students.鈥

Mr. Graham鈥檚 path to teaching wasn鈥檛 straightforward. After graduating from Clark Atlanta University with a radio, TV/Film production degree, he realized he wanted to do something more. 鈥淲hen I was back home in Brooklyn, I realized I didn鈥檛 want to just sit in an office all day,鈥 he shared. A work-study program working with fourth graders ignited his passion for teaching. 鈥淚 started thinking about what I really wanted to do and thought about the impact I had on those students. It made me think, 鈥業 should try this teaching thing.鈥 That鈥檚 when he was inspired to return and achieve a second degree.

With 13 years in education, eight of those at 天美影视 DC Promise Academy, Mr. Graham is committed to fostering an environment where his students can grow academically and embrace their authentic selves. In his own words, 鈥淪econd grade is my favorite because they’re right on the edge of still being impressionable, but they’re still babies. It鈥檚 that growth year, and I love helping them as their minds grow.鈥

What drew Mr. Graham to 天美影视 DC was its commitment to urban education. Having worked in similar settings in Harlem, and knew the impact he could have. 鈥淭hey really want you to just focus on teaching. They give you the things you need so you can focus on what really matters the most, presenting the best lesson you can and focusing on the students.鈥

His students鈥 sharing of their unique interests continually inspires him and deepens his connection to the classroom. 鈥淚 have girls who鈥檝e formed their own cheer team, boys into sports, and a lot of students passionate about food. These little moments show how much they鈥檝e invested in our 天美影视.鈥

For Mr. Graham, fostering a sense of belonging is key. 鈥淚 tell new teachers: it鈥檚 not about having the best lesson plan. It鈥檚 about building 天美影视. Every morning, we talk about our 鈥楳indset Matters鈥 chart. Students pick a mindset for the day, like 鈥楳istakes help me learn,鈥 and we reinforce it throughout the day.鈥

His classroom also operates on a set of student-created 鈥渞ights.鈥 鈥淲e started with 10, and now we鈥檙e up to 11 since they added one of their own. They have the right to be here, to be loved, and to think. Every day, I point out when they鈥檙e using these rights. It鈥檚 about making them feel seen and heard.鈥

鈥淚t鈥檚 so personal to me to show my students that they don鈥檛 have to be basketball players, actors, or singers to make an impact in their 天美影视,鈥 shares Mr. Graham.

He reminds his students daily: 鈥淵ou can do anything you want to make a change in your 天美影视. You don鈥檛 have to follow a set path to make an impact.鈥 It鈥檚 a message he lives out, proving that even small, everyday actions can create a brighter future for all.

Oh, and his favorite part of the job? The relationships. 鈥淲hat brings me joy is when students come back to visit, even years later. It鈥檚 no longer just a teacher-student relationship鈥攊t鈥檚 a bond. That鈥檚 legacy right there.鈥

See Mr. Graham鈥檚 class in action!

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Posted on January 16, 2025 in Awards & Recognition

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