Greg Dohmann is devoted to building student investment and confidence in math. “I encourage my students by highlighting even their smallest achievements and letting that success build momentum and confidence,” he says. “I take that opportunity to break down insecurities.” Mr. Dohmann is methodical in his instruction, aiming to develop his students’ skill proficiency and conceptual understanding, and planning high-energy lessons to keep them engaged. Jefferson’s principal, Natalie Gordon, calls Mr. Dohmann “one of the strongest teachers I’ve ever worked with-period.” She praises him for going above and beyond for his students, doing lunch duty every day to play basketball with the kids, tutoring on Saturdays for students who need extra support, and supporting his colleagues as a grade level and subject lead teacher. He spent this past summer working as a Teacher Development Coach for DC Teaching Fellows to further develop his leadership capacity.

In his second year at Jefferson, Mr. Dohmann particularly appreciates the school community’s vision-shared by administration, staff, and families-of high expectations and rigorous academic work. Mr. Dohmann became a teacher four years ago, compelled by his experience growing up in the D.C. area “and being aware of the massive inequities between my schools in Northern Virginia and the public schools in the district,” he explains. The more I learned about this achievement gap, the more I wanted to be a part of the change.”