A New Member of Our Team

Masterman is constantly undergoing change in an effort to better our academic and social environment, and our new Assistant-Principal is a perfect example of that. Some students may have noticed the new person standing in the doorway with Headmaster Laurie, greeting students as they walk in the door with inviting conversations, making connections, and building bonds. Sharae Graham, originally from Delaware County, joined the Masterman community earlier this year after leaving Parkway Center City and Middle College, bringing her extensive experience and an exciting vision for our school’s future. 

Like many Masterman students go on to do, Ms. Graham studied at the University of Pittsburgh, where she double-majored in French Language and Literature along with Africana studies, and minored in Linguistics. After college, she chose to pursue French and later became a French teacher, which also contributed to her love for traveling abroad. Ms. Graham studied in France multiple times, most recently for two years when she attended a graduate program and taught English in Paris. Eventually, her passion for education transformed into a passion for administrative work, led by a desire to impact larger groups of students than being a teacher would allow. Administrators control decisions that influence different aspects of students’ lives on a deeper level, and Ms. Graham recognized that she wanted to have a larger impact on formal education. As a result, Ms. Graham transitioned to the Central Office of the School District of Philadelphia, where she worked in the Office of Professional Learning, helping novice teachers become strong and confident teachers across the district. 

Now at Masterman, Ms. Graham recognizes that there is always more work to be done. Remembering her own high school days, Ms. Graham relates to high school students who deal with high levels of academic stress, since she also took a mixture of honors and AP classes. She aspires to reinforce support to create well-roundedness, believing that your mood, mental state, and stress level impact you in high school and can change how you take care of yourself in the future. Ms. Graham looks forward to teaching students how to find balance, practice hobbies, and manage the demands of our intense workloads. Without a mixture of all those skills, some people may find it hard to thrive, which makes school a less enjoyable place, but Ms. Graham is on a mission to change that. 

Outside of her school life, Ms. Graham is a committed Pelotoner and loves to exercise in her free time. She has run two half marathons, but her love for movement started when she was a dancer, dancing every form of dance except hip-hop. Ms. Graham also uses mindfulness to create balance for herself, using meditation and nature to find peace and enjoyment. 

Stepping into the role of Masterman’s vice principal means embracing the challenges and ambitions that come with an intense environment, and Ms. Graham is already demonstrating her ability to thrive through her resilience and forward-thinking approach. If you see Ms. Graham around the school, feel free to stop by her office or ask her a question when she greets you in the morning, welcoming her with the same manner she always welcomes you.