Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/124458
Making a difference The beat goes on for Michael Brown-ESP of the Year make our working conditions better," says Brown in his usual upbeat manner. Meanwhile, the beat goes on for Michael Brown As a young member of the Boys and Girls Club, he now volunteers there as lead drum instructor for a program called "Beat the Odds." This program uses African drumming to help kids develop social - by Joel F. Glazier Capital District paraprofessional's influence extends beyond the school to Dover's youth ichael Brown, a paraprofessional at Central Middle School in Dover, works with students with physical and mental challenges. "Their smallest accomplishments encourage me. They keep me energetic and willing to return for more good things each day Folks not involved . in education, and especially not in contact with special needs students, have no idea of the significance of paraprofessionals' and other support personnel's work," says Brown, now in his eighth year working in Dover's Capital School District. However, many people outside of school settings do have positive contact with Michael Brown, whose own inspiration to serve, help and teach began when he was in elementary school. That inspiration came from a community leader with whom Brown still works. M Brown's influence moves from classroom to community "Reuben Salters (recipient of the DSEA HCR Award in 2011) had me join the Sankofa African Drum group when I was ten years old and already displaying a passion for music. Perhaps I got some musical talent from my mother. She had a piano in our home, but playing drums is what hooked me," Brown remembers. At age 14 he travelled to West Africa with a small group of drummers from Sankofa and got to perform for students there. After Dover High School (class of 2001), Brown began courses in elementary education at Delaware State. His passion for music contin- Michael Brown, a paraprofessional in Capital, receives DSEA's ESP (Educational Support Professional) Award for 2013. Association provides new outlook Michael Brown introduces the Sankofa African Drum and Dance Company to dignitaries last spring. ued and the idea of working with handicapped individuals may have come from the maternal side of his family . Brown explains, "My mother and her mother both worked for United Cerebral Palsy I began working at . the Intensive Learning Center (ILC) at William Henry Middle School. Now I enjoy my work through the Kent County Community School as a paraprofessional at Central. The students have severe physical and mental disabilities, but I like to say that each day, 'all is good.' Sometimes I can even try to implement a little music therapy at my workplace." 24 March/April 2013 DSEA ACTION! Several years ago as a newer paraprofessional, Michael Brown inquired about different Association workshops and events. He asked Capital Paras President Patti Reid about getting more involved. "Patti is a terrific leader. She knew how to build on my interest. Rather quickly, I was selected to join others from Delaware at the NEA Emerging Leaders Academy in 2010. My eyes just opened up. I had no idea what the whole [NEA] organization did," says Brown, adding very enthusiastically, "What was more appealing to me was learning there was nothing to hinder an ESP member from doing what any other NEA member could do. I realized that all members have equal opportunity to become as involved as they want. A couple months later, I was elected vice president of our local, and, ever since, I have become involved in many DSEA committees." Brown also currently serves on the DSEA Board of Directors. "If you want to see things happen, you have to get involved. Talk is cheap. I like to remind members that I pay the same amount of dues they do, and here I am, trying to Reuben Salters (right), friend and mentor to Michael Brown, is a leader in the Dover area and creator and current director of Dover's Inner City Cultural League. He came to honor Michael when he received the ESP of the Year Award. and emotional skills. He has also added hip-hop, African dance, and African drumming and theatre to the arts curriculum there. He serves as artistic director of Dover's Inner City Cultural League, and manages its Sankofa African Drum and Dance Company In addi. tion, he is currently chair of Positively Dover, an African American Festival which attracts over 5,000 participants each summer. He also chairs the Capital City Gospel Festival. He is often accompanied to meetings and events by one or more of his children - Micaiah, 11; Zachary, 9; Savayah 7; Nehemiah, 4. "I want to show by example what it means to be involved. My own children see me involved in the community and my profession. Being on DSEA committees helps me in my personal life, and the skills I learn carry over to my community work." He will tell you that, growing up in Dover, he could have fallen through the cracks, but his life is following a positive path thanks to his love of music and the many special people who helped him along the way . Joel F. Glazier, DSEA-Retired, is a regular contributor to ACTION! www.dsea.org