Trinity Washington University congratulates Ramon Griffin, M.S.A. ‘16, who was named the 2027 DC Teacher of the Year by Mayor Muriel Bowser and State Superintendent of Education Dr. Antoinette S. Mitchell on October 26. Students and staff at Thurgood Marshall Academy Public Charter School in Southeast Washington had gathered for an assembly about college applications, but it turned into a surprise celebration of Mr. Griffin, who has taught at the school for seven years.

The honor, administered by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education, includes a $7,500 professional growth award and makes Mr. Griffin a candidate for the 2027 National Teacher of the Year, a program of the Council of Chief State School Officers. As DC Teacher of the Year, Mr. Griffin will serve a one-year term representing the District while his national candidacy moves forward.

At the ceremony, Mayor Bowser noted that Mr. Griffin decided early on that education would be his path; thirteen years into his teaching career, he leads math classes, electives, and AP African American Studies at Thurgood Marshall. In his first year teaching the AP course, 87.5 percent of his students passed the exam, and his Math 180 classes have outpaced their projected growth on the MAP assessment by as much as 200 percent. Mr. Griffin also helped launch Thurgood Marshall’s mentoring program for young men. He is a founding member of Kingsman Academy PCS and previously served as Director of Climate and Culture at Dunbar High School.

“When you do your calling, you’re not working,” Mr. Griffin told DC News Now.

Dr. Christine Carrino Gorowara, dean of Trinity’s School of Education, said: “The Trinity Washington University School of Education is proud of our Master of Science in Administration graduate Ramon Griffin for the multiple recognitions of his exemplary teaching, including the award for 2027 DC Teacher of the Year. Mr. Griffin is exactly the kind of educator we want for every child.”

Trinity’s School of Education is proud to count the city’s top teacher among its graduates!

Trinity alumnae are invited to share their own news at alumnae@trinitydc.edu.

Read the mayor’s full release about Ramon Griffin ’16 as DC Teacher of the Year