Jimmy Lee Day II, a teacher at Aurora’s East Middle School, told CBS News that he attributes his effective teaching methods to two factors: connection and consistency. Those aspects certainly paid off, as he became Colorado’s first Black male Teacher of the Year, cementing his place in history.
Though Day was initially recognized for his achievement at a surprise event in his classroom last October, he earned a special acknowledgment on the Senate floor last Tuesday from Colorado State Senator Rhonda Fields.
Day is an Aurora Public Schools band director and instrumental music instructor with a more than 13-year teaching career. He has also taught at East Middle School for almost five years. Day reportedly worked on three band programs that eventually became award-winning projects over his career. The programs have also received very high ratings from district music festivals.
“From classroom management to how I rehearse my students to how I want my expectations – it’s consistent, it doesn’t change, it’s unbending and then my connection – me making myself human just like you, and we make connections,” Day said about his teaching methods.
According to his biography, Day graduated from Tennessee State University with a bachelor’s degree in music in May 2006. In December 2008, he earned a Master of Arts in teaching from Trevecca Nazarene University. The Black educator was chosen to engage in and serve as a mentor in the Public Education & Business Coalition and the Aurora Public School Mentoring Community of Practice as a consequence of his revolutionary teaching.
“Day is passionate about meeting students where they are and giving them the skills to grow and appreciate what they are doing,” his bio adds. “This approach allows him to set high, but attainable, expectations that students can feel proud about accomplishing.”
In a news release after he received the honor, Colorado Education Commissioner Katy Anthes said that Day’s “knowledge of music and passion for sharing it with students is clear to anyone who steps into his classroom or attends an East Middle band performance.”
“I am inspired by his dedication to not only help young musicians develop their instrumental skills but also instill them with confidence and demonstrate life lessons,” Anthes added.
The honor bestowed on Day will remain until the end of the year.