"I know my mother, up in Heaven, is smiling down on me."
This is the heartfelt sentiment of East Middle School Band Director and Instrumental Music Teacher Jimmy Day II who was named a 2023 Colorado Teacher of the Year finalist. Day is one of only seven educators from across the state that the Colorado Department of Education deemed worthy of this distinguished honor.
"I didn't know this award existed!" said Day, who was nominated in part by his former East Middle School Principal Biaze Houston.
When Houston welcomed Day to the East family in 2017, he never felt more supported in his career. In fact, on his first day during a staff meeting, his colleagues gave him a standing ovation to express how much they believed in his ability to make East's band top tier.
"That's MAJOR support!" Day exclaimed. "I think that subconsciously did something to me."
Day notes that his current team roots for him just the same, which has empowered him to break barriers for his students to succeed in the "real world."
"I want my students to have an appreciation for music, but it's about them becoming well-rounded citizens," he said. "Playing music is just the cherry on top. They learn life skills like collaboration, leadership, good work ethic, and more right here in this band room before they even play one note."
This is the same energy Day's teachers poured into him as a young man. One particular skill they helped him develop was self discovery. The Tennessee State University alumnus credits his professors, Professor Graves and Dr. McDonald, for encouraging him to "come on home" to music as a profession. Previously, Day had studied architecture and fashion merchandising.
"Finally, I broke in and said, "You know what? I'm going to be a music major'," he shared. "Having good educators around me inspired me. It even goes back to my middle school band director. I do a lot for my middle school students because of what she did for me."
Aurora Public Schools is thankful that Day chose this path. His message to current and aspiring teachers is to "roll up your sleeves, do the work, learn from others, stay positive and stay the course." This mindset propelled
Day to a peak in his career and we wish him continued success.
Outside of his classroom, Day remains a loving husband, a supportive father and an avid wrestling fan. We hope he can add teacher of the year to this list! CDE expects to select a winner at the end of the month, but we are
proud of him either way.
"Even if I don't get it, just being here is an honor," Day humbly stated.
We agree. Go, Jimmy!