Brandon Douglas has been the band director at Lake
Stevens Middle School for the past 6 years. Teaching at
Lake Stevens has been a full circle moment for Mr. Douglas as this is
where he first learned to play the trumpet as a member of the instrumental
band, receiving Band Director’s award, the highest award that any music
student at Lake Stevens could hope for . After graduating from Lake
Stevens, Mr. Douglas matriculated to Miami Northwes5ern Senior High
School, participating in their PAVAC program and eventually becoming the
drum major. Upon his graduation, he was accepted into Florida Agricultural
& Mechanical University, where he majored in Education and was a
member of the world-renowned Marching 100s.
Mr. Douglas did hid internship at Miami Central Senior High School
while also substituting at various schools, in Leon, Dade, and Broward
Counties. Eventually, he found hid first teaching position as an elementary
school teacher at Larkdale Elementary in Broward County. While there, he
had the opportunity to mentor many students and touch many lives.
In 2008, Mr. Douglas’ dream of teaching at his Alma Mater came t\rue
when he was hired as a teacher here at Lake Stevens. During his time
here, he was able to resurrect a dormant music program, growing it in size
from zero to approximately 70 students. Where there was once a nonexistent program, there is now a full marching band, full jazz band, and
symphonic band. Thanks to the hard work and persistence of Mr. Douglas,
the band has become a jewel in the crown of the Miami Gardens
community. They have been asked to perform at various activities in the
community, and are frequent visiting musicians at high school football
games and University of Miami basketball home games.
Mr. Douglas’ passion for music shows in his students. He spends
countless hours at Lake Stevens with students and is honored to have his
hard work recognized by his peers this year after being nominated as the
2015 Teacher of the Year.