Monday Draayer

7th/8th Language & Literature Teacher

Monday has a Bachelors of Art in Environmental Studies with a concentration in Education from Seattle University and a Masters of Arts in Teaching for Special Education at the University of West Georgia. Monday has been in the classroom setting for three years, one of those being at Atlanta Neighborhood Charter School.

Monday’s background with young people started in food justice work, specifically growing and cooking food with 4th-8th grade students in Seattle, WA. Monday has worked at various food education nonprofits in and out of schools. Their passion for accessible education and disability justice led them to the classroom. Before joining Atlanta Neighborhood Charter School in 2022, Monday worked in Clayton County Public Schools as a middle school teacher in Special Education. They enjoy teaching through the intersections of food, art, and storytelling.

As a neurodivergent and disabled person, Monday loves creating accessible learning spaces that are full of love and advocating for the infinite ways of being in this world. Their work in education is also deeply tied to their identity as a queer, trans and nonbinary person. This is the lens that they come into the classroom with and is very meaningful to them. As a white educator, they are committed to anti-racism work in their personal and professional life. Learning is for life.

Monday’s big loves include laughing over shared meals with loved ones, swimming whenever they can, and dancing to house music in the trees. Monday’s closest people would say that their bouncy and welcoming energy brings warmth into the classroom.