District of Columbia Public Schools
Area of Focus:
BIO: I am Tumeka Coleman, a proud North Carolina native and graduate of North Carolina Agricultural & Technical (A&T) State University in Greensboro, NC. I obtained a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education in 2000 and a master's degree in Education in 2002. With anticipation of becoming more insightful about the realm of academia, I obtained a second Masters of Education degree in Education Management from Strayer University in 2010. Inspired by my mother, I chose to pursue a career in education and I continually strive to implement the same welcoming atmosphere that she cultivates in her classroom. I am committed to providing students with a loving and developmentally sound foundation for a lifetime of learning. As an educator, I know that building a strong foundation is essential work. Hence, my unwavering efforts to create and maintain an environment where students can grow and thrive while exploring the world around them.
During my 20(+) year career as an educator in three separate school systems, I have served as a mentor to junior teaching professionals, chaired various grade levels, facilitated professional development sessions for both teachers and parents, served on the Academic Leadership team, a current member of the Mayor's Schools Advisory Committee, currently serve as the New Educator Orientation Ambassador for District of Columbia Schools and a current member of the Chancellor's Cabinet for the District of Public Schools. My career began in Greensboro, NC, where I was Rookie Teacher of the Year. In 2012, I was again named Teacher of the Year from Imagine Public Charter Schools in DC. I was later announced as the Regional Teacher of the Year for all of the Imagine Public Charter Schools in DC and just recently the 2018 Teacher of the Year for the District of Columbia Public Schools.
I describe my classroom as a learning environment that promotes fun, growth, and a sense of family. Teaching is so rewarding and reaffirms my belief that I can make the world a better place by educating one student at a time. Forming relationships with scholars and helping them find their dreams and strengths so that they believe in themselves the way I believe in them is the premise of our student-teacher bond. My ultimate mission is to support student learning in a manner that empowers students to take responsibility for their own learning. I seek to help student recognize their own potential and help them improve skills they need to function more effectively in an increasingly diverse and demanding environment. While providing a supportive, comfortable welcoming environment, my service goal is to reduce the barriers for student success by responding to their unique learning needs.
