LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Dakeyan Graham

Position: Band and Orchestra Teacher
School: C. Leon King High School
School District: Hillsborough County School District
City, State: Tampa, FL

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Music that Describes Dakeyan

On April 16th, 2020, Dr. Graham was surprised via Zoom as a 2019-20 LifeChanger award winner! Check out his surprise below.

Dr. Dakeyan Graham was nominated by his principal, Arlene Castelli.

Dr. Graham is currently serving as the Florida Teacher of the Year. He was nominated by the very district he was raised in, Hillsborough County. Not only is Dr. Graham from this county, but he was nominated by the very school he attended as an International Baccalaureate student. He has been working at King High School since 2009. In the past nine years, he has accomplished more than many educators complete in their lifetime.

Dr. Graham received his Bachelor of Music in music education from the University of Florida in 2007. Two years after that, he received his Master of Music in music education from UF in 2009. He received a teaching position at King High in the Fall of 2009 teaching both band and orchestra. The band held over 150 members, while his orchestra touted a rousing 100 members. Even as a new teacher, he worked with his music boosters, continued to support his summer camps, and took his students on field trips both within the state of Florida and throughout the United States.

Within five years of him becoming a teacher, Dr. Graham decided to go back to school and received another Master’s Degree in educational leadership. Due to his commitment to being the best he can, and in order for him to serve his students even more, he also received his Doctor of Philosophy from the University of South Florida.

"It is evident that all four of these degrees have allowed Dr. Graham to be one of the most influential educators that I have worked with," said Castelli. "Families are drawn to his charisma and character. Families have heard about him from all around our county and come to King High just to learn under him. As a former IB student himself, he is able to provide an extra layer of support to the Band IB students as they learn to navigate the IB system. He helps them manage their time, which can be a bit tricky with the large workload associated with the program. For the traditional students in band, he encourages them to stretch themselves even further by taking more challenging classes. He pays attention to their grades and encourages the students to have pride in academics."

Dr. Graham’s classroom environment is largely centered on student collaboration and feedback. He usually has students get up in front of the class and lead the lesson for the day. There is a constant system of feedback so everyone in any position is able to both provide and receive feedback. This empowers students to “own” their classroom. Although Dr. Graham serves as the content expert, the students are able to learn from each other. Each and every student, no matter what level they're at, is treated with professionalism and a family style of learning that encourages all to grow. Ideas are tossed around with complete ease as the environment is very safe.

Dr. Graham serves as a teacher leader and as a demonstration classroom. Teachers in his school have the opportunity to observe and ask questions about the various techniques implemented so they can better communicate with their students. He also works with administration and academic coaches to help provide professional development as the need arises.

Outside of school, Dr. Graham serves as the president of the Hillsborough County Secondary Music Council, as well as the Secretary for the District 7 Florida Orchestra Association. He has the opportunity to meet with all of the band directors in his County. He is also the Co-Director of the Fred Gebhardt Leadership Camp, which is a student leadership camp for all high school music leadership in band, chorus and orchestra. Dr. Graham is responsible for developing the yearly curriculum, as well as instructing and empowering the nearly 400 student participants in order for them to provide the same with their programs – an annual Train the Trainer.

Dr. Graham has authored the high school African-American heritage curriculum for the secondary music domain, which is used in every high school music classroom. He serves as an adjudicator for the Florida Orchestra Association and the Florida Bandmasters Association. This allows him to travel throughout the state collaborating with various music professionals.

With all this, he's still able to host the second largest marching band competition in the state, Lion’s Pride, which averages 25 bands each year from across the state. Last year, the Herd of Thunder from the University of South Florida performed at Lion’s Pride. It was the first time many of these students ever heard a live college band. It truly was an awe-inspiring performance!

Dr. Graham is also married to another Hillsborough County Educator. Together, they serve their church and raise a beautiful daughter together. The basic premise of everything Dr. Graham believes in is family. He has an amazing, supportive family that encourages the path he is on, as they know he effects more students with everything he does.

"I would like to stress how people seek Dr. Graham out," said Castelli. "There is a special way in which he talks to you and makes you feel like you are one of the most important people he has had a conversation with. He treats everyone the same and believes that everyone is unique and special. He knows they have the potential to conquer any task they set their mind to. Students come to us from so many backgrounds, schools and ability levels. They all start on the same elevated level once they enter Dr. Graham’s class."

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Comments (22)

Isaiah McFadden Posted over a year ago

Congrats and thankyou so much for what you done for me during all the years i have been with you congrats you deserve this award

Marvina Posted over a year ago

You are more than deserving of EVERY award honoring the impact you make on a daily basis in the lives of EVERYone you meet! Thank you inspiring me to have a volunteer presence on campus and for mentoring my young man, Arlen!! Best wishes, you will be missed!

Karen Macaluso Posted over a year ago

CONGRATULATIONS ?? You are certainly deserving of this award.... best wishes on your new adventure in Tallahassee??

Sue Pier Posted over a year ago

Congrats, Dre!????????????

Casey Graham Posted over a year ago

So very proud of this husband of mine!!! :)

Nicolas Williams Posted over a year ago

Congratulations!

Pren Woods Posted over a year ago

Dre, congrats! I have been aware of your awesomeness long before Lifechanger. You are friends on Facebook with my friend Julie. So, this is no shock to me at all. Keep up the fantastic work. Music is so integral to students’ well-being.

Sheila Mateo Posted over a year ago

Dr. Graham is definitely a life changer for us. From day 1 that my daughter attended high school, he has guided her to a route that lead to success. He motivates and inspires his students to the best of their abilities. He is very supportive yet allows the student to explore their potentials without being controlling. Students have learned the value and importance of leadership from the setting of his good examples. He is a dynamic person that has the gifts and abilities to appreciate and respect diversity and multi culture. We are so honored and proud to have Dr Graham at King's High School.

Marvina Larry Posted over a year ago

Dr. Dakeyan Graham is an all around amazing person who deserves to add the title of LifeChanger to his résumé. Dr. Dré as everyone knows him is a dedicated leader for his students, their families and his colleagues. As a band booster executive board member I have worked with Dr. Graham behind the scenes during the past few years while my son participated in the instrumental program at King High School. I’ve witnessed his passion first hand and am in awe with all he’s able to accomplish on behalf of the students at King High School. May God continue to bless you ad you bless others.

Karen Macaluso Posted over a year ago

I have known Dre since he was a classmate with my daughter at King High School. He has the unique ability to make you feel that he is genuinely so happy to see you, even if it has been several years. He has the most beautiful smile that just radiates joy and happiness and is infectious to all around him. He could certainly earn substantially more money outside of public education, but the students he teaches are receiving so much more than any amount of money can buy.

Jamie Mann Posted over a year ago

Dr. Graham is an inspiration to the next generation of educators and citizens, and a shining light among his contemporaries. I say contemporaries and not peers, because he has very few! Congratulations on the nomination and good luck Dr. Graham!

Donna McCatty Posted over a year ago

Dr.Graham is just that in what he does.."A Doctor"..He knows just how to "access"the individual and then by the end of his visit with you,he leaves you feeling stronger,more confident and able to "fight through" any adversity and opposition that may come your way!..So,instead of trying to solve the problem, he has a way of making you look inside yourself and realize that what you needed was already inside of you all along!..He was just there to help you search within to discover it!.& that's a teaching that you will forever possess and use once you understand it!.And that's what I feel he has taught my son while he's been under his tutelage while he's been in Band!.& for that I will be forever grateful to him!..Thanks to Mrs.Graham as well for being such a supporter!..Dr.Graham has been a household name in my home in the past from my oldest son as well who also an Alumni of King,9 years ago.,and now his name still permeates in my home with my youngest son..I thank God for allowing my sons and myself to have been so blessed with such a great person!..THANK YOU DR.GRAHAM!.

Doug Yopp Posted over a year ago

Dr. Graham is one of the most dynamic band directors we have in the state of Florida. He is not only an inspiration to students and parents but to teachers all across the state. He is very deserving of the term life changer!!!!

Gina Randolph Posted over a year ago

I was Dr. Graham's 8th grade language arts teacher. Even then, he was a leader with superior intellect, emotional stability, and tremendous potential. I enthusiastically recommend Dr. Graham for this award.

David Dozier, III Posted over a year ago

I first came to know Dr. Graham when my daughter started attending King High School back in 2011. Having participated in band camp for three weeks prior to the start of school, he already built a connection with her. This connection allowed him to identify a need to provide her with support that helped her adjust to the rigors of the IB program. Something that he was very familiar with as he had graduated from the IB program at King several years earlier. He served as an invaluable mentor for both my daughter and son (who also attended the King IB program and participated in band), helping to develop them into leaders. In my 7 years as a band parent, I witnessed firsthand the impact he had on so many people and am proud to consider him a friend. I would always tell people that there are few people in life that you meet that leave an indelible mark on those they meet, Dr. Dakeyan Graham is one of those people. I cannot think of a person more deserving of such recognition as LifeChanger.

Melanie Willette Posted over a year ago

When I saw the categories to choose from that best describe my relationship to Dre, I realized how entwined our lives have been. I knew him as a student at the high school where I taught. I knew him as a friend and band-mate to my daughters in both high school and college. I knew him as colleague when he joined the faculty where I taught. I have known him in various roles and, yet, the one constant has been to know him as a kind person. To know Dre is to know genuine kindness. Yes. He works hard. Yes. He is the consummate professional. He is a committed son, brother, husband, and father. All true. But it is his genuine spirit that draws others to him. To know him is to want to be your best. He changes lives with genuine kindness. He is one of a kind. I am enriched to know him.

Karen Hinnen Posted over a year ago

I have known Dre Graham as both a colleague and as one of his former I.B. teachers. He is a phenomenal human being. He was a pleasure to teach in class and an even better colleague. He is so genuine, honest and relatable. I am blessed to teach wonderful students and work with some pretty amazing educators! For me, Dre was and is both!

Susan Rawls Posted over a year ago

I have known Dre for over 25 years. He is a very unique and deserving person for this nomination. He tutored my son when he was in school and we appreciate him so much for his willingness to help. Dre is very loved by all his family and friends. I count myself blessed to know him.

Sue Pier Posted over a year ago

I know Dre from martial arts. I began at the age of 42, 15 years ago, when he was still in his late teens. We were in different schools, but I encountered him occasionally at competitions. I myself always felt like a newbie, because most people there had begun training as a child, and even as a black belt I still dealt with insecurities. At one event, we were (I thought) at the same ring, so I lined up with him. He respectfully corrected me, and directed me to the right ring. This sounds like a small thing, but to an insecure adult who chose a world dominated by confident (and not always empathetic) teenagers, I was grateful for his kindness and calm. I came to find out from other school owners how respected and well-liked he was by them. He was a joy to watch compete, as he was always focused, controlled, and mature. I have thoroughly enjoyed watching him grow over the years, as an individual, a family, and an educator. I can't think of a better person for this award.

Dawn Christian Posted over a year ago

Congratulations to Dr. Graham!! As a parent to one of his alumni, I truly appreciate all of the love and support he gives his students. Our senior year we had the opportunity to perform at Carnegie Hall, there are not enough words to express how awesome that was for all the students who were able to participate. Thank you so much for all you do for everyone who crosses your path ??

Carrie Gassen Posted over a year ago

I would describe Dr. Graham as a positive role model, mentor, and leader. He also inspires his students in a variety of ways to keep them engaged in learning. He taught all of my children, and for my younger two, showed them wonderful leadership skills to strive for as drum majors, which have carried over into their lives past high school.

Casey Graham Posted over a year ago

We are so very proud of Dr. Graham and all his accomplishments! He is loved by so many educators as well as students. He truly is a life changer for so many people!