Monday Draayer

7th/8th Language & Literature Teacher

Monday has a Bachelors of Art in Environmental Studies with a concentration in Education from Seattle University. They are currently completing their last semester of a Masters of Arts in Teaching for Special Education at the University of West Georgia. Monday has been in the classroom setting for two years.

Before joining Atlanta Neighborhood Charter School, Monday worked in Clayton County Public Schools as a 6-8th Grade Science Teacher in Special Education. Monday’s background with young people started in food justice work with a focus on growing and cooking meals with 4th-8th grade students at a 1/4-acre garden and kitchen in Seattle, WA for several years. Monday has worked at various food education nonprofits in and out of schools. They enjoy teaching through the intersections of food, art, and writing.

As a neurodivergent person, Monday is passionate about disability justice work and connects deeply with other disabled and neurodivergent youth. Monday loves creating accessible spaces that are full of love and shining light on the many beautiful ways to be 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.

Monday’s big loves include laughing over shared meals with their chosen family, swimming whenever they can, and dancing to electronic favorites for hours. Monday’s closest people would say that their bouncy and welcoming energy brings warmth into the classroom.