Graham Smith is becoming the teacher they never had

April 15, 2026

EKTEP student Graham Smith stands in front of a university sign reading 'Graham Hall'. They are in drag and preparing to present at the WestCAST conference. They are wearing a white and pink sparkly skirt suit and long blonde hair.

Growing up in Prince George, Graham didn’t see queer people reflected in their classrooms—or talked about at all. Now, as a student in the UVic East Kootenay Teacher Education Program (EKTEP) at College of the Rockies in Cranbrook, they’re working to change that by showing up: as a non-binary educator, as a creative and energetic presence in elementary classrooms, and sometimes, as their drag persona Ella Minnow Pea.

We spoke with Graham about their experiences as an EKTEP student, from learning alongside the ʔaq̓am community, to presenting at the WestCAST education conference this spring.

Where did you grow up and how did you decide you wanted to get into teaching?

I grew up in Prince George, on Lheidli T’enneh homelands, and lived there my whole life. I moved to Cranbrook specifically for the EKTEP teaching program. I liked that it was still UVic, but in a smaller community. I see a lot of benefits to work experience in smaller communities, and I love the outdoors, so it felt like a good fit.

I also love learning—science, reading, creative work—and the way subjects intersect, especially art and math. Teaching felt like a way to be myself while also getting to do very fun and creative things.

The biggest reason I wanted to teach is that, growing up as a queer person in a pretty conservative place, I didn’t really see people like me, especially in school. We were never talked about. I didn’t know it was possible for me to exist like I do today until I was older.

Once I realized it’s fine for me to be nonbinary and gay, I thought: how different could things be if I’d learned that I belonged as a kid? Shouldn’t all kids learn that?

It sounds like you’ve stepped into a representative role even though you didn’t necessarily choose it. What does that feel like?

It’s a funny thing, because I shouldn’t be the representative of queer people—I’m just one person. But when there aren’t many of you in certain spaces, you end up taking on that role. And then you ask yourself: am I going to step up and do a good job, or not? For me, I said okay, I guess I’ll try my best.

Why did you want to work with young people?

I have a lot of energy. I’m always moving, making art, doing something active. Kids, like all humans, need time to move, create, and explore. I liked the idea of a job where I’m not sitting at a desk all day but bringing in music or going for a little walk in the forest.

Graham is pictured having a great time on their bike riding on a forest trail to and from school. They are wearing a red rain jacket and a matching red helmet. — Riding home from school in the EKTEP program

How did you develop your drag persona?

I created the character Ella Minnow Pea during a class project. Her name comes from a novel about freedom of expression. It was a free inquiry project, and I decided on the topic of drag story time. By the end I realized I wanted to create a character that combines teaching, reading, and my love of makeup and fashion. I sensed that many people around me were just beginning to understand what drag story time was—or the fact that queer people have important roles to play in education—and that this was something they wanted to know more about.

The second step was doing a presentation for my teaching program, talking more about what it’s like to be a queer person and how drag story time is very politicized right now. Then, with encouragement from UVic staff, my instructors, and from my girlfriend, I applied to present at WestCAST.

Graham is pictured as their drag character Ella Minnow Pea while presenting at WestCAST conference. they are standing in front of a projector screen which shows a photo of them from 2006 and one from 2026. — Graham as Ella Minnow Pea at WestCAST

What is your presentation about?

The presentation is a personal essay, starting from kindergarten in Prince George through to becoming a teacher. It follows that growing divide between knowing who I am and feeling like I wasn’t allowed to be that person.

My goal was really just to humanize people like me. To share that we are people like everyone else. When we have experiences of homophobia and transphobia, it’s not just about politics—it’s something that really hurts our self-concepts and sense of safety, and it affects the way we’re able to live our lives.

I also wanted to connect with people who might not know queer people. I talk a little bit about what I have in common with people who might see me as very different from them—like, hey, we both love flannel shirts. I might not like country music the same as you, but I still love Johnny Cash. Little details like that, which might seem superficial, but I think can help people understand that we do have a lot in common.

“My goal was really just to humanize people like me. When we have experiences of homophobia and transphobia, it’s not just about politics—it’s something that really affects our feelings and our ideas of ourselves.”

Would you offer this presentation again?

Absolutely. Right now, especially, I think it’s really needed. If there’s an opportunity where it would be received well, I’d love to keep doing it.

What would you say to someone thinking about enrolling in EKTEP? What drew you to it over a bigger program?

I moved here specifically for EKTEP. My cohort is a mix of local students and people who’ve moved from elsewhere. Nature is a huge draw. Cost of living is another factor—it’s often more affordable and easier to find housing.

And then there’s the connection between the EKTEP program and the ʔaq̓am Nation. Knowledge Holders and Elders from the Ktunaxa nation are part of the college community, and after my practicum at the ʔaq̓am community school, I’m invited out there sometimes. The ʔaq̓amnik ̓ Elementary School is so welcoming. That’s so special, and I don’t think that happens everywhere. It’s an honour and a privilege to have the school invite us there as often as they do.

I walk through the forest every day to get to the college. When I’m done school, I get on my bike and ride directly back into the forest—there’s a little lake, mountain biking trails, deer. It’s amazing.

A photo of a corkboard that has been decorated with artwork depicting patterns in nature. There are large green leaves and lots of small, colourful caterpillars. On the right side, it says "Miss O's class made "pattern pillars" to show the patterns we learned in math." — Project made by the K/pre-K class at ʔaq̓amnik ̓ Elementary on my first practicum. Thank you Alizae, Summer, and Jenn for helping make this happen!

Is there anything else you’d like people to know?

I think it’s important to be honest: there are still challenges in a smaller community. Some students, especially queer and BIPOC students, do face challenges that stem from racism and homophobia. For example, you may be the first trans or Indigenous person someone has meaningfully met and connected with. That can mean getting some strange questions. But, there will also be lots of wonderful parts of being here.