The DC Teacher of the Year program celebrates outstanding educators who are experts in their craft as demonstrated by accelerated growth for all students, and who demonstrate leadership beyond the classroom by partnering with colleagues, students, families and communities to support innovation in teaching and learning, and who champion the teaching profession.

2027 DC Teacher of the Year

Congratulations, Ramon Griffin, the 2027 DC Teacher of the Year! 

Ramon G. Griffin is a veteran educator at Thurgood Marshall Academy Public Charter High School in Washington, DC, where he teaches Advanced Placement (AP) African American Studies and Math Workshop. He holds a master of science in educational leadership from Trinity Washington University and a bachelor of arts in psychology from Morehouse College. 

Mr. Griffin brings cultural awareness and a student-centered approach to each course he teaches. When he taught students about the Jim Crow era, he transformed his classroom into a “juke joint” so students could experience that moment in time. Through performance and storytelling, he helps students connect personal and historical narratives and see themselves in the history they study.

Mr. Griffin’s honors include the 2024-25 Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (HMH)/Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA), Math 180 DC Teacher of the Year award, and the 2022-23 DC Special Education Cooperative Teacher of the Year. In his first year teaching AP African American Studies, 87.5 percent of his students earned a passing score on the AP exam.

Outside the classroom, Mr. Griffin is a mentor to students and supports community service. He helped found Thurgood Marshall Academy’s male mentoring program, where he supports young men through mentoring, leadership development, and hands-on learning. He also supports students’ participation in hands-on and service-learning activities, including the school market and volunteering with the nonprofit Martha’s Table.

Hats off to Mr. Griffin and the entire Thurgood Marshall Academy community! 

As the 2027 DC Teacher of the Year, Mr. Griffin will represent DC in the Council of Chief State School Officers National Teacher of the Year program and advocate for students on a national stage. 

Learn more about Mr. Griffin here: 2027 DC Teacher of the Year One-Pager

2027 DC Teacher of the Year Finalists:

• Ms. Gabbrielle Jones is a second-grade teacher at Lafayette Elementary School. Jones is recognized for her work supporting student growth and her leadership in creating inclusive learning experiences for all students.
• Ms. Jennifer Schroeder is a science teacher at Ida B. Wells Middle School. Schroeder is recognized for engaging families and the community and creating academic and enrichment opportunities for students. 

To learn more about previous DC teacher of the year awardees, visit the DC Teacher of the Year Archive.

For questions, contact Rachelle (Rey) Yombo at [email protected].