University of South Florida

College of The Arts

University of South Florida

USF Music Education Alumnus Dakeyan Graham Named 2020 Florida Teacher of the Year

Monday, July 22, 2019

On Thursday, Governor Ron DeSantis and Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran named Tampa band director Dakeyan Graham the 2020 Florida Department of Education Teacher of The Year at an awards ceremony in Orlando. Graham received his Ph.D. in music education from USF in 2015.

With this distinction, Graham—known by many as “Dr. Dre”—will serve as the Ambassador for Education for the state of Florida. He also takes home a $20,000 award for himself and an $8,000 Florida Prepaid scholarship for one of his students at King High School.

“It is my privilege to recognize Dr. Dakeyan Chá Dré Graham as Florida’s 2020 Teacher of the Year,” said Governor DeSantis. “Florida is nationally recognized for its top-notch education system and teachers the caliber of Dr. Graham have made that possible. As he begins his tenure as Teacher of the Year, I offer my heartiest congratulations and know he will represent Florida and the education profession well.”

As an Ambassador for Education, Graham will advocate for the teaching profession and act as a representative for Florida teachers and the Florida Department of Education. His temporary appointment will last one year and begin on July 1, 2019.

Dr. Graham holds a bachelor’s and master’s in music education from the University of Florida, a master’s in educational leadership from Concordia University, and a Ph.D. in music education from the University of South Florida.

Press

Tuesday, July 23, 2019
WUSF News: King Students, Tell Us About Florida Teacher Of The Year ‘Dr. Dré’ Graham

Friday, July 19, 2019
Florida Politics: Hillsborough educator wins 2020 Florida Teacher of the Year

Friday, July 19, 2019
Fox 13: King High teacher in Tampa named the best educator in Florida

Thursday, July 18, 2019
Tampa Bay Times: ‘He makes you believe you can do everything.’ Tampa’s Dakeyan Graham is Florida’s Teacher of the Year

Thursday, July 18, 2019
WTSP: King High School band director is Florida's Teacher of the Year

Thursday, July 18, 2019
Florida Department of Education: Governor DeSantis, Commissioner Corcoran Announce Dr. Dakeyan Chá Dré Graham, Hillsborough County Educator, as 2020 Florida Department of Education Teacher of the Year