When I was asked to write about the topic of equality and equity in education, I initially hesitated. I knew my experiences were not the norm in regard to the challenges faced by other educators in my profession. Let’s be clear here though, I view myself as the minority of the minority, a black male in education teaching a subject other than PE. Although, I do not want to make assumptions, I think you would be hard pressed to find a narrower group inside education. Nonetheless, the majority of my educator experiences have been on a positive note with access to everything needed in order for me to be successful. That is not to say that there have not been obstacles, just that they may not have been motivated by race, gender, or other circumstances.
After reflecting on this, I HAD to ask myself why? In so many other instances I can quickly recall race playing a factor in my life. I remember being watched and followed throughout shopping, to the point where I would hold cash or my debit card in my hand so that store employees would know that I actually intended to pay for my products. Leaving a larger tip at restaurants to dispel the myth that my race doesn’t tip well. I also remember the exact age where I would smile at people I passed (It was how I was raised, to be polite and nice) and would no longer receive a smile back, but either an awkward look or a look of displeasure in return. “How dare that boy smile at me” their expressions would portray. I could pinpoint these moments where my perceived differences influenced situations in life, but I struggled to find an example of this from an authoritative figure while working in education. I was even selected as the first black Teacher of the Year for my county, and no one even batted an eye. If I had to place a reason on it, I would have to give credit to my administration; they run a tight ship in regard to equity and opportunity for all.
I don’t want to misinform you by any means, though. Judgement based on differences absolutely exists in educational settings. I have experienced more of it from the student side of things, than from a glass ceiling standpoint as an educator. I recall my first day transitioning from the ESE role I previously worked in, to the Information Technology instructor. My freshmen students (who were meeting me for the first time), assumed I was the substitute teacher and that the real teacher for some reason wasn’t able to be there. I could see the shock on their faces as I introduced myself and explained how my experiences in building PC’s and gaming aligned with their interests. I still laugh about that with them, an African American, football coach taking a group of “techies” through four years of technology class. As a teacher I have a fresh set of new students each year coming from different backgrounds, household cultures and homelife influences. I honestly feel that I was led to this profession in part to mitigate learned behavior and challenge the narrative of (in my specific case) black males.
Stereotypically, black people are looked upon as lazy, unkempt, and they are a burden on our society. Stereotypically, men can’t be teachers, they are too strict to be elementary teachers, and are limited from teaching certain subjects because they’re a male. These are the learned negative connotations that a student may bring into my classroom. The students may be from an environment that allows the use of racial slurs or sexist remarks. That is their norm, but as an educator, a trusted adult, I am given the ability to chip away and deconstruct the culture that has skewed these student’s views. By being a positive representation (not that I believe I am the perfect example, but just living up to better than what was they have been taught) I am able to shed a light on the fact that samples of a population are not defined by traits that you do not like. Those might exist as individuals, but they are not a reflection of the entire group. I honestly believe I have the power, with one positive action at a time, to help shape and change the narrative from undesirable teachings.
Award-winning and GRAMMY-nominated educator, Dr. Dakeyan Chá Dré Graham, travels throughout the United States as an acclaimed motivational speaker, author, and clinician. He advocates for student, educator, and parent empowerment and opportunity as the Assistant Principal at Talbot Elementary School, formerly holding the position of Director of Educational Equity and Outreach for Alachua County Public Schools and Assistant Principal at Rawlings Elementary School. He also currently serves as musical director and conductor of the Alachua County Youth Orchestra in Gainesville, FL. CEO and Founder of Re-Imagining Equity and Learning (R.E.A.L.), Dr. Graham actively travels the nation delivering keynote speeches, professional development seminars, and workshops in the educational, instructional, musical, and DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access) spaces. He is also widely sought out as a music clinician, having worked with band and orchestra students and ensembles across the southeastern United States. The 2019 Hillsborough County Teacher of the Year, Dr. Graham was selected in July 2019 as the 2020 Florida Teacher of the Year, representing 74 school districts and more than 195,000 teachers. During the 2019-2020 school year, Dr. Graham was on sabbatical from teaching and served as the Christa McAuliffe Ambassador for Education. In this role, he toured the state delivering motivational speeches and workshops focused on empowering teachers to create the most impactful learning experience possible for their students.
Following his selection as the 2020 FLTOY, he went on to advocate for all of the students of Florida as a member of the executive cabinet and senior staff at the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE). In 2022, after serving for two years as the Executive Director in the Office of Independent Education and Parental Choice for the Florida Department of Education, Dr. Graham transitioned to support turnaround schools throughout the state as the Executive Director of School Improvement. As an avid equity champion, he also served as the Vice Chair of the Florida Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys, as a member of the education committee and chair of the mentorship committee. During this time, he founded the M.M.A.A.N. Up! (Male Mentors of African Americans Network) Statewide mentorship program initiative. He was also appointed by the governor of Florida as a Commissioner for the Florida Commission on Community Service in 2021, where he presently serves as chair of the Volunteer Services Committee and a member of the National Programs Committee. Dr. Graham also serves on a number of boards that directly impact the provision of opportunity for our world’s future leaders, including: University of Florida Alumni Association Board of Directors (Machen Florida Opportunity Scholarship and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committees member and a Regional Director), Instruments of Change Board of Directors (President), Florida Association of Teacher Educators Board of Directors (Regional Director), The University of Florida Association of Black Alumni (President-Elect), the Community Foundation of North Central Florida Equity Task Force, Gentlemen’s Quest Tampa Board of Directors (Vice Chair), King High School Alumni Association, the Florida Music Education association Board of Directors (Emerging Leaders Committee Chair), and the Florida Bandmasters Association (Health and Wellness Chair).
A proud product of Hillsborough County Public Schools, Dr. Graham served as the Director of Instrumental Studies at his alma mater, C. Leon King High School in Tampa, FL, where his teaching responsibilities included leading the KHS Marching Lions, conducting the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic and Concert Bands, Jazz Bands, Symphony Orchestra, Chamber, Symphonic, and Concert Orchestras, Percussion Ensemble, and supervising the Lionettes Dance Team. During his 11 years in HCPS, his students consistently demonstrated determination, focus and tenacity as they earned a performance position in the prestigious Carnegie Hall.
Dr. Graham holds Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Music Education (University of Florida), a Master’s in Educational Leadership (Concordia University), a Doctorate of Philosophy in Music Education (University of South Florida), a Doctorate of Education in Learning Design and Performance Technology (Florida State University), and a Doctorate of Musical Arts degree in Instrumental Conducting (University of Florida).
Serving as a past president of the Hillsborough Secondary Music Council and founder of the Eastern Coalition of Music Directors, Dr. Graham travels around the state as an adjudicator for both the Florida Bandmasters and Orchestra Associations. In 2012, Dr. Graham was a finalist for Hillsborough County Teacher of the Year and a semi-finalist and quarterfinalist for Grammy Music Educator of the Year in 2013 and 2020, respectively. He was acknowledged as a 2020 LifeChanger of the Year award recipient by National Life Group. Dr. Graham has been honored as a 2020 USF Outstanding Young Alumni Award Recipient, one of 40 Gators Under 40 in 2021 for his work in the field of education, and was inducted into the C. Leon King High School Hall of Fame as a member of the Wall of Pride for distinguished alumni in 2023.
Dr. Graham is blessed to share life with his wife, Casey (also an educator), and daughter, Aaliyah. His passion is to fight for ALL students to have an equitable educational experience tailored to their unique and individual needs in order for them to purse the best version of themselves, especially those furthest from justice. He works to continue positively impacting the next generation of world changers.
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2 thoughts on “Jay Early – 2020 Hernando County Teacher of the Year”
So much of your (Mr. Early’s) experience resonates with me. Thank you for your insight and for supporting the belief that as educators we have the power to positively impact our students while simultaneously eliminating stereotypes!
It was my pleasure, and I’m glad you found some resonance! I can’t tell you how surprising it was to find out that the experiences I’ve had are not unique. And we DO have the ability to works towards our goal with a concerted effort!
Re-Imagining Equity and Learning 
So much of your (Mr. Early’s) experience resonates with me. Thank you for your insight and for supporting the belief that as educators we have the power to positively impact our students while simultaneously eliminating stereotypes!
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It was my pleasure, and I’m glad you found some resonance! I can’t tell you how surprising it was to find out that the experiences I’ve had are not unique. And we DO have the ability to works towards our goal with a concerted effort!
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