Each month, CAP shines a spotlight on someone making a difference in the afterschool and summertime world! Nominees demonstrate outstanding work in developing, supporting, and promoting meaningful, high-quality out-of-school time programs to benefit Colorado children, youth, and families.
Congratulations to CAP’s September OST Champion Danny Brown! Brown works as the Before and After Care Director at Black Forest Hills Elementary School. He has served the Cherry Creek School District for over thirty years, first working with the district part-time before moving into a lifelong career that he says is filled with rewards.
“I started working with a typewriter; That’s how long I’ve been here,” Brown said in a CCSD blog story. “My greatest memories are when kids come back to visit the school and tell me how much they loved being here. That’s what we try to do…raise them with love.”
After moving into a full-time career with the district, Brown worked at Highline Elementary School and eventually opened the Before and After School Program at Black Forest Hills, where he and his team serve an average of 60 children each day.
According to his colleague Jill Robinson, who nominated him, he has left an immeasurable impact on all who have crossed paths with him.
“Danny spends the first 15 minutes of each day sitting and talking to the students about their day, ensuring each child feels welcomed, wanted, and loved in his program,” she said. “He will leave a legacy for the respect and love he gives to children and adults around him.”
Many of Brown’s former students see him as a role model and return to the program in their teens to work with him, Robinson said. He is often described as a hero for his life-saving actions during his time working for the district.
“One example of his heroism is saving a drowning child who was not attending his program while on a swimming field trip,” Robinson said. “Another act of heroism was, without hesitation, Danny calmly ushered all of his students to safety when an off-campus shooting took place during afterschool hours.”
Brown has seen many changes through the years from paper attendance to computer check-ins and always embraces it all, and that, according to Robinson, is what makes Brown an OST Champion.
“Danny Brown makes the Cherry Creek School District a better place,” she said. “We are lucky to have him on our team.”
Congratulations, Danny! If you know of a candidate worthy of being honored as one of CAP’s OST Champions, nominate today! Click here for the nomination form.
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