Meet Rashadeem Gray, Dean of Students and Culture

Mr. Gray: Dean Making a Difference

Since joining Carmen Schools in July as the Dean of Students and Culture at Carmen High School of Science and Technology-South campus, Mr. Gray has already made a profound impact on our students and campus culture by embodying our core values of empathy, belief, and growth. With a strong academic background—including a degree in Secondary Education from the University of Northern Iowa, two master’s degrees in Curriculum & Instruction and Educational Leadership, and his current pursuit of a doctorate in Organizational Leadership—he brings both expertise and passion to his role as Dean. By leading with authenticity, he ensures that students feel valued, supported, and empowered—even when they make mistakes. His dedication to education, social justice, and mentorship shines through in his work, inspiring students to learn, grow, and challenge the status quo. In this blog feature, Mr. Gray shares his journey, his reflections on leadership, and the importance of “good trouble” in shaping a better future for all. Stay tuned to our social media, where we’ll hear more from Mr. Gray as he shares insights into his life as a Dean at Carmen Schools!

What is your favorite thing about coming to work each day at Carmen?

The students. They have been my up when I have had down days, and they always greet me with love and empathy. Even the students I have frequent interactions with. Sure, they make mistakes, and they always make sure they check on how I am doing.

What has been your greatest accomplishment so far in your role?

The best part about being a dean in my opinion is showing my students that they are still loved after they make mistakes. Enforcing rules is easy with the well written policy we have for behavioral management. The work is in making sure that students know it is ok to make mistakes, they learn from those mistakes and know despite whatever they did, they are still valued, loved and forgiven.

In celebration of Black History Month, share your favorite (or most interesting) Black History fact.

I could talk all day about this. I learned so much about Black History while I wrote a curriculum for a Black History class, I had the privilege to teach for many years. That class also is still thriving in both of the districts where I introduced it. For this question, I will throw a slight twist to this one. John Lewis, who was a Civil Rights activist and Congressman for many, many years had a saying about getting into “good trouble,” He would say “Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble.” This resonates with me because I believe people should stand up more for what they believe in. So many of our ancestors risked their time, families, and their own lives to make a better future for us all. These people were considered radical at the time because what they were asking for and doing was so far against the norm, they were causing “trouble.” Had they just gone with the status quo, I wouldn’t be sharing this very thought on this post. Good and necessary trouble can be revolutionary.

Another person/fact I want to highlight is Fred Hampton, the Black Panther Party, and his Rainbow Coalition. Hampton was a leader of the Black Panther Chicago Chapter and started something called the Rainbow Coalition that brought people from all ethnic and racial backgrounds together to focus on community empowerment through initiatives like the Free Breakfast Program and health clinics. He played a huge role in inspiring programs that we see today like Women Infants & Children or more commonly known as WIC. He was only 21 years old when he was assassinated.

I recently came across a headline that stated “To Be a Black American Educator is to Be in a Constant State of Hope–and Rage.”  It can be said that this extends to Black leadership in education as well.  How does reading that statement feel and how are you finding hope?

I will start by saying that hope is not a strategy. The more we hope there will be change, the more of our students will suffer. Action is the agent of change. Without people to enact this action, we will continue to be in the same mess we are in. This is where the rage comes in. So many great educators are leaving the profession, and for good reason. It is exhausting. People are overworked, underpaid, and most of all, underappreciated. The reason for the lack of Black educators happens long before they have a chance to step foot into a classroom and in front of students though. It happens by the lack of love our Black boys and girls get while they are students. Ask yourself, would you want to return to a place of trauma? Most people would say no. With that being said, my joy comes again from my students. From when I see a student I have or had out in public and they dap me up with a big smile on their face. When I get to see the results of their hard work on graduation day. This work is, has always been and will always be about these kids. Kudos to all of the Black and Brown educators out there who bravely step back into an environment that has failed our kids for so long. Keep up all of the great work, and remember, one student at a time!

Mr. Gray’s mentorship, belief in our students, authenticity, and “good trouble” serves as an inspiration to all.  Stay connected with Carmen Schools on social media throughout the year as we learn more about Mr. Gray and his life and journey as a Dean at Carmen Schools of Science & Technology.