Our Employee of the Month is Gwendolyn Brown from Ohio!
Gwen Brown has been a valued member of the Apollo After School team for the past four years. She began her journey as an educator, where she consistently supported her team and built strong, meaningful relationships with students. Gwen has a genuine love for children and brings creative, engaging, and thoughtful activities to her program each day.
As she stepped into the role of Site Director, her leadership has continued to shine and is deeply appreciated by parents, students, and school leadership alike. Gwen’s dedication to Apollo is best captured in her own words: “I’m never leaving Apollo!” — a sentiment that perfectly reflects her commitment and heart for the program.
Gwen, thank you for being such an outstanding employee and teacher.
To show our appreciation for your dedication and hard work – please check your email this week for a special gift from us.
Check out our interview with Gwen below:
- Who are you, where do you come from, where are you going?
My name is Gwen Brown. I work at Apollo after-school program as a Site Director. I was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio.
- How long have you been teaching with Apollo?
3 years
- What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned since you started teaching?
That each child that walks through our doors are unique and special and that they look to us (along with their parents) to encourage them into making good choices in their life.
- How do you motivate your students to succeed?
By letting them see the good in themselves and making sure they know and believe that they can do all things they put their mind and heart into.
- If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
I would love to be able to make money and to make things to give to everyone who is in need. I have a love and a need to help everyone.
- What is your most memorable memory from your time as an Apollo instructor?
My most memorable time was helping one of our students that came to Apollo who had autism and he wasn’t talking and would scream all the time. I spent time helping him, teaching him with love and kindness, gaining his trust and showing him how to succeed in his life. When he left, he was talking, learning, being polite, and he waved to me and said goodbye “Mrs. Gwen, I will miss you.” I will never forget that.
- If you could retire tomorrow and never have to worry about money again, what would you do with your time?
I would still help people, I would open up a place where people can come and talk, socialize with their peers and help in offering them resources that they may need.
- What’s your go-to technique for dealing with ‘handful students’?
To get them to sit down and color with me and I start to get them to calm down and talk about what happened and how we can change things the next time.
- Do you have a talent that not many people know about?
I love sewing – I make quilts, dresses, you name it. Sewing is my quiet time.
- What’s your #1 teaching tip?
To give individual attention to each child to get them to feel important, love themselves, and believe that their opinions matter.
- What’s your favorite classroom Attention Getter?
When I clap my hands and say “Apollo everyone stop and look” they know that I want their attention.
- What is something interesting that you’re involved in, outside of Apollo After School?
I am a support group leader for people who are living with PAH pulmonary hypertension, a rare lung disease. Which I love and am living with.
- How do you spend your summer breaks?
Traveling with my family and fixing up my house, sewing, and just spending time with my grandson. Just enjoying life.
- Star Wars, Star Trek, or they’re both lame?
Both lame.
- What do you like most about working with Apollo?
The children I get to meet, help, and teach knowledgeable lessons to that I know they will use throughout their life.
