Hello DSST! My name is Becca Bloch, and I was the recipient of the 2020 Core Value Award for Courage. I have been at DSST since 2014. A large part of my heart will always live at DSST: Cole (go Dragons!), but I am currently the school director at AST (home of the amazing Owls!). While I won the courage award last year, this award really is for all of us who are in the teaching profession. We all had the courage to face the unknown with COVID-19, the courage to teach and lead online, the courage to come back this year to so many unknowns, and the list goes on. I truly share this award with all the DSST educators in our network, and especially with my AST team.

I cannot imagine the courage it takes to be an immigrant or refugee to the United States. After receiving the courage award last year, I led a morning meeting on service with our community and presented students with three local organizations in Aurora that serve some of the most courageous people in our community. Our students voted to have my CV donation go to the Village Exchange Center in Aurora. The Village Exchange Center is a “community center and multi-faith worship space that celebrates religious and cultural diversity by creating an inclusive environment where residents from all backgrounds can practice, interact, share, and develop together.” The center seeks to assist the immigrant and refugee population to feel empowered to use their existing strengths and unique perspectives to enrich the city’s diverse and inclusive community. There are so many services the Village Exchange does. From the Village food pantry, to low wage relief support, vaccine equity, and community theatre, the Village Exchange Center is critical for many in Aurora. I am proud that DSST will donate to this organization on my behalf and it will go toward so many families in Aurora who rely on them for services.