TENinTN
Celebrating the Past, Embracing the Future

David Jamison II, also known as @thedopeeducator, is a multi-faceted individual—a nationally recognized educator, influencer, TEDx speaker, activist, and education consultant. He was named the GAP Clothing Company's 2021 Teacher Icon.

In his early years, David faced misunderstandings and frequent suspensions from school. Despite these challenges, he always felt a calling to inspire others. After high school, he attended Tougaloo College, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in English. Although he found success in various roles such as labor coordinator, assistant manager, and even as an actor/model, he felt unfulfilled and misaligned with his true purpose.

The turning point came when a fraternity brother asked him a pivotal question: "Do you still have a passion for teaching?" This conversation led to a job offer and David's entry into the world of education. To set his classroom apart, he introduced customized greetings and encouraged each student to create a unique handshake. David believes that the foundation of any lesson lies in love and human interaction, and he aims to inspire the next generation of male educators.

In his third year of teaching, David decided to record these special handshakes, and the video went viral across all social media platforms. He gained further attention in his fourth year by creating non-contact personalized greetings for each of his students. Throughout his career, he has memorized over 200 personalized greetings and has been featured on numerous local and national news outlets, including Access Hollywood, Good Morning America, the Today Show, the Kelly Clarkson Show, and ABC & NBC Nightly News.

David uses his newfound platform to encourage both current and future educators, reminding them that they are shaping the future leaders of the world, including doctors, lawyers, and presidents.