" Every human being has immeasurable value. I simply blew the dust off of diamonds. " Dr. Jerry Gaines
" Every human being has immeasurable value. I simply blew the dust off of diamonds. " Dr. Jerry Gaines
Dr. Jerry Gaines, a life-long educator, began his career in 1972 at Western Branch High School in Chesapeake, Virginia where he taught and coached for twenty-one years. He spent the next fifteen years as a high school assistant principal (three at the Chesapeake Center for Science and Technology, and twelve at Great Bridge High). He completed the last three years of his career as a Central Office Supervisor.
After retiring as an educator, Dr. Gaines traveled the country sharing a very profound message that he claims, “a million kids taught HIM.” As a tribute to those many lives that he has touched, he has written a book entitled “40 Stories High”, published in 2011, a selection of short stories recounting some of his most moving experiences teaching, coaching, and mentoring. In his second book, Before I Knew Me, You Gave Me a Mirror, published in 2025, Dr. Gaines shares his insights and inspirational thoughts arising from nearly 8 decades of life and learning.
More recently, Dr. Gaines tries to keep his speaking engagements within a short drive from his home. He still gets out his fishing rods as much as possible, often accompanied by former students who just need a bit of “Gaines Time”! His grandchildren are his greatest joy, and he delights in being a part of their lives.
