By Emil Joensson, American Red Cross Public Affairs
The Red Cross of Colorado and Wyoming has named Shawna Brown as one of the 2023 Community Hero award recipients.
Shawna teaches at McAuliffe Elementary in Colorado Springs. In and out of the classroom, she devotes her free time and resources to developing and refining programs that ensure the highest quality education for her pupils. Shawna says, “My goal is to show each student I care and consistently try to maximize their individual strengths, no matter the obstacles.”
Besides being a teacher for 20 years, she is an active community member. During the COVID-19 crisis, she assisted a vaccine clinic serving over 20,000 people, administering COVID-19 tests and providing education about the contraction and avoidance of the virus. The Red Cross provided support for the community and other volunteers with food and other supplies.
Volunteering at the vaccine clinic was Shawna’s first experience with the Red Cross. “I worked alongside the Red Cross, nurses, other volunteers and my husband who assisted as a paramedic and site manager for all of Teller County.” She said, “This experience was very rewarding in that it gave me the opportunity to support a local community and to help others which is something I enjoy doing.”
The Red Cross celebrates Shawna for her selflessness and countless hours. She will be named a 2023 Community Hero at the American Red Cross of Colorado and Wyoming Heroes Soirée event. She represents the essence of the many other exemplary educators in her field and exemplifies the kind of community-minded individuals that makes our community a better place to live.
