Hello DSST! My name is Andre Felix, and I am the recipient of the 2020 Core Value Award for Doing Your Best. This is my fourth year at DSST Cole. I am currently a PE/health teacher and MS athletic director, among other roles. From a young age “doing your best” was instilled in me as a core value by my family. My dad always says, “Son, always sign your work with excellence.” That phrase has stayed at the forefront of my mind to this day.
I was and am deeply humbled and appreciative to receive the network’s Core Value Award for doing your best last year. This year, we have some unique challenges with COVID and internal school situations. In each moment, especially when it gets hard, I keep myself grounded in the belief that someone, somewhere, in exactly the same circumstance could prevail. This belief helps to drive me forward to keep pushing to be better for my teammates, GL, and students. I look forward to finishing this school year strong, while consistently showing up as my best self for my school community.
I believe an organization that is doing their best in my community is Aurora Warms The Night. It is an organization that has set out to reduce street homelessness, and assist those struggling to find shelter. Every single drive across town, I see one to three people minimum who are asking for money, and even more who are homeless and hurting. I think part of doing your best is not only achieving at a high level personally, but also supporting those who are most vulnerable and in need. Aurora Warms The Night approaches every person they encounter and every partner they work with, with empathy and compassion in the hopes that each day, and each deed, moves us closer to a better future. I am honored to be able to lend a hand to such an amazing organization.