About Dr. Gainey

Dr. Dene Gainey is an educator and lifelong learner from Orlando, FL with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education K-6, a Masters of Education in Instructional Technology and in 2024, completed his doctoral studies, earning a Doctorate of Education in Organizational Leadership. Currently with 20 years of teaching experience, Dr. Gainey functions in various capacities in the education world to include teaching English, Drama, Gardening and Technology. He currently teaches High School English II & III. Additionally, he is an adjunct professor for Polk State College.

Dr. Gainey  has a passion for the C.L.I.M.B.E., celebrating diversity, building community, project-based and problem-based learning as well as the student-driven classroom. As an educator, He feels it is his niche to build bridges and fill gaps, not to mention give meaning to learning experiences and use all of his skills and talents as a means to motivate students to be “more.” As a veteran of the United States Air Force, a singer and songwriter, actor and author collectively, Dr. Gainey incorporates techniques in the classroom to cultivate an environment where learning happens in various ways.

Dr. Gainey has published his first book titled Journey to the 'Y' in You, available on Amazon and Barnes and Noble sites. He collaborated in the Edusnap 2016 “Best Practices in Education publication, his chapter called “The Student-Driven Classroom." He also is a contributing author for the EduSnap 2017 edition with a chapter titled “Celebrating Diversity & Building Community." He collaborated on EduMatch Snapshot in Education 2018, with his chapter titled “Ever Changing Nature and Needs. His most recent publications include “Diversity: It’s Not Just About You, It’s About Us (2021),” and “Disqualified,” plays written for classroom use. Most recently (2024), Dr. Gainey has published a 17-poem book of poetry designed for classroom use, in addition to spoken word poetry, some of which you can find published on this site. His “one word” is “IMPACT.”