Our nation's schools sit at a crossroad between our democratic ideals
and the harsh reality that inequity has always existed within
schoolhouse walls. How exactly do we ensure that inner city
children receive an equitable, balanced and rigorous education? This
topic has led more than a few educational advocates to scrutinize our
teaching force, whom are largely populated by dedicated and determined
women. However, who hears their stories of success, failure and
resilience? Who knows why teachers rise each day to work with
children and adolescents in some of America's toughest schools?
Meet Dr. Doran Gresham, a native of Richmond, VA and a career educator
that has co-founded Why the SUN Rises to showcase the faces and
stories of women in eduction. This organization is now in the final
stages of editing a book, which will serve as a platform for female
educators across the country. Take a second to become familiar with
his story.
Doran Gresham has 20 years of experience as a special educator,
grassroots worker, mentor, and school administrator. He taught special
education at the elementary and high school levels in Maryland, DC and
Virginia and is an adjunct professor at Gratz College and The College
of New Jersey. Dr. Gresham currently teaches graduate courses in
Universal Design for Learning and Differentiated Instruction for the
Regional Training Center.
Outside of the classroom, Doran has worked with the DC Teaching
Fellows Program as the secondary special education project director
and he also served as the Director of Instruction for CaseNEX, a
professional development firm. As a founding board member of
Achievement Preparatory Academy Public Charter School, Doran was the
chairman of the academic performance and accountability committee and
he was a member of the governance committee.
In 2004, 100 Black Men of Greater Washington, DC honored Doran as the
Elliott Hair Man of the Year and in 2008 he was a Mentoring
Organization of the Year finalist for his work with Guerilla Arts Ink
and 100 Black Men, Inc.
Doran completed his doctoral studies in Special Education and
Emotional Disturbance at The George Washington University, where he
was a Holmes Scholar and a member of Phi Delta Kappa. His dissertation
research focused on general educators' perceptions of the
overrepresentation of elementary-aged black males in classrooms for
students with emotional disturbance. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts
degree in English from The University of Virginia and a Master’s
degree in Emotional Disturbance and Learning Disabilities, K-12 from
The College of William & Mary.
Doran is proud to serve DCPS as a Master Educator for Special Education.
Meredith Chase-Mitchell, Co-Founder of Why The Sun Rises
Photos by Vaughn Browne
Press Release by Juan Braxton
Don Style Solutions
804.396.4310
juan@donstylesolutions