Tyre Gray had big dreams as a kid growing up in Alexander City, and those dreams included playing football. After years of hard work and dedication, it was his time to shine on the field, playing as the quarterback at Benjamin Russell High School.
Gray continued his career as a wide receiver at Murray State University. Now, just a few years later, he’s back where it all started. This time, though, he’s working as a teacher!
“I love this school, and I love the kids. It’s a little wild to think, and this was actually my kindergarten teacher, she still teaches here,” Gray says pointing at her classroom door. “It’s like a full circle.”
The former high school quarterback is now a kindergarten teacher at Jim Pearson Elementary School. The same school he went to, working just doors down from his own kindergarten teacher. As a young male teacher, he is unique, in many ways, at the school. He’s one of the youngest in the building, with just two years of experience, and he’s one of the few male teachers in the entire Alex City School System.
“I wish there were more of us. I think the stereotypes about teachers and teaching being a job for women is what keeps men from doing these,” Gray explained. “We actually need more males, because you can really make a difference in a lot of kids’ lives.”
When he graduated from college, Gray initially planned to work in advertising or marketing. Then, he started working a part-time summer job and it changed his mind and perspective. He realized that he wanted to come back home and teach.
“I worked that summer with kids at the YMCA and I just really fell in love with it,” he said.
There’s no surprise that his classroom décor has one common theme: sports. Footballs, basketballs, and some photos from his time as a football player in high school and in college. He said he likes to talk to his kids about working together as a team.
“I can use my experience to help teach and guide them on the right track,” he said. “It’s a great feeling, especially when it’s in your own hometown where, you know, you know a lot of the kids’ families. You went to school with a lot of their families, like, it’s a great feeling.”
By Jasmine Williams – WSFA
March 3, 2025