Jonte Lee

Jonte Lee was raised in Louisiana, in a single-parent household. For a while it was just Jonte and his mom, until his aunt stepped in to help watch Jonte while his mom juggled school and work. While most boys played with trucks, Jonte read textbooks. Nothing in life was ever handed to Jonte, nor did it come easy. He was bullied at his high school for being gay and for having a speech impediment. Jonte knew he would have to work extra hard to overcome the odds that were stacked up against him. His parents were never married and couldn't get along, so one day his teacher gave him her number. She told him to call her if things "got bad at home." While Jonte never used the number, the kindness of that teacher inspired him to show the same unconditional love to his own students. Jonte has worked for an urban public school, teaching 9-12th grade physics and chemistry in the heart of D.C. It's ironic Jonte became a physics and chemistry teacher since those were the two subjects he disliked most while in school. Jonte teaches, is a coach, and holds two after-school clubs with his students. He is known as the teacher who listens to student's home-life stories, feeds them if they are hungry, or buys them a prom dress if they can't afford it. Anything to help these students thrive! Jonte is one of the only grandchildren out of 56 to graduate college. His family still resides in Louisiana in a neighborhood that is mostly filled with empty lots. Jonte's aunt is his rock.