C.W. Harris Elementary School
Derek grew up in nearby Prince Georges County, MD. His first job was working for DC Parks and Recreation as a camp counselor at Hine Junior High School where he found his passion for working with youth. He attended Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University for both undergraduate and graduate school where he earned his MBA. After spending three years in Corporate America, Derek made the decision to follow his heart and become an educator in Washington, DC.
Mr. Gorham has a record of proven success. As an Assistant Principal, he helped guide Friendship Chamberlain Middle to a Tier 1 Status on the School Quality Report Card during the 2014 and 2015 academic years as well as organizing and leading a group of 8th grade students to study abroad in Costa Rica. After he joined DCPS in 2015, he obtained highly effective status for his work at Charles Hart MS. In 2017, Derek was selected to the fifth cohort of the Mary Jane Patterson Fellowship, DCPS’ Principal Leadership Program. During his tenure in the Mary Jane Patterson Fellowship, he was selected to be the interim principal of J.O. Wilson Elementary, and in 2019, Derek was named a Rising Star in DCPS.