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Kenneth Gorham
Kenneth Gorham
01:33

Kenneth Gorham

Movement School

Charlotte, NC USA

"Lead with who you are because it is going to exude into your teachers, your families, and your scholars, and they’re going to appreciate your uniqueness."

Career Roadmap

Kenneth's work combines: Education, Law, and Teaching / Mentoring

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Day In The Life

Principal

I craft educational environments that foster high achievement and personal growth.

03:07

Day In The Life Of A Middle School Principal

My Day to Day

I oversee the day to day operations of a middle school, charged with ensuring a high level of instruction as well as a student experience where children feel loved, seen, and valued. On the other end, I am also charged with ensuring the development of teachers and their instructional toolkit, in turn promoting scholar achievement.

Skills & Education

Advice for getting started

I had only been teaching for a couple of years before I was tapped to become an instructional coach. At only 23 years old, I had a lot of doubt about my abilities. However, I found success in the role and was then tapped to become a principal a year later. I felt that same sense of doubt but took on the challenge anyway. Don't let your fears of being too young stop you from reaching your full potential. You can make an impact no matter how young you are if that's what you're meant to be doing.

Here's the path I took:

  • High School

  • Bachelor's Degree

    Political Science

    North Carolina A&T State University

Life & Career Milestones

My path in life has been direct

  • 1.

    I began my educational journey in political science, ultimately aiming for law—but Teach for America shifted my path.

  • 2.

    My initial plan to engage in family law transformed into teaching in Charlotte, North Carolina, and revealed my passion for educational equity.

  • 3.

    I started my career as a fourth grade nonfiction reading teacher and then a fifth grade science teacher.

  • 4.

    My success with fourth and fifth graders led me to an instructional coach role which deepened my educational impact.

  • 5.

    At 24, I embraced the challenge of becoming a principal, driven by a mission to cultivate a positive learning environment.

  • 6.

    I just completed my first year as a middle school principal, where I’m working to support teachers, value families, and guide young minds toward excellence.

Defining Moments

How I responded to discouragement

  • THE NOISE

    Messages from Peers:

    You're too young to make an impact as an administrator.

  • How I responded:

    I had only been teaching for a couple of years before I was tapped to become an instructional coach. At only 23 years old, I had a lot of doubt about my abilities. However, I found success in the role and was then tapped to become a principal a year later. I felt that same sense of doubt but took on the challenge anyway. Don't let your fears of being too young stop you from reaching your full potential. You can make an impact no matter how young you are if that's what you're meant to be doing.