It's time for a faculty spotlight! Have you met Dawn Brown, ACC Early Childhood Education faculty member? Learn more about how Dawn is Moving Mountains at ACC!
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I grew up on the East Coast, just a five-minute walk from the beach. I love being near the ocean, but the mountains have truly stolen my heart. Living in Colorado and having the mountains as my backyard playground (especially with snow!) is a dream. Outside of work, I enjoy reading, crafting, and spending time in nature. My family and I also love to travel and experience different cultures.
What do you teach?
I teach in the Early Childhood Education Department.
How long have you been at ACC?
I have been with ACC since August 2021 as an instructor and became full-time faculty in August 2023.
How long have you been teaching?
I have been working in early childhood education for 20 years.
What is your favorite thing to teach?
I love teaching ECE 1031: Guidance Strategies for Young Children. This course explores the factors that influence children's behavior and emphasizes guiding children positively rather than punishing them. It requires deep self-reflection, including examining personal "hot buttons" and shifting mindsets around behavior management. I’m currently exploring how to support children impacted by trauma through play-based learning and positive relationships. I truly enjoy collaborating with others who are passionate about equity and healing in early childhood education.
Why did you choose teaching?
I didn’t choose teaching—teaching chose me. My first career was as a civil engineering technician. Becoming a parent sparked my interest in child development; I wanted to better support my children in reaching developmental milestones. I volunteered frequently at their schools, and teachers often joked that I should get paid for all the time I was spending there! Eventually, I followed that path, and I fell in love with teaching. Helping children—and adults—reach their goals is incredibly rewarding. My goal is to inspire my students to develop a lifelong love of learning.
Why did you choose ACC?
My journey with ACC began in August 2021, when I was hired as an adjunct instructor. At the time, I was looking for supplemental income through online teaching. From day one, I was impressed by how connected and welcomed I felt—despite teaching online courses. The supportive and inclusive culture at ACC has made it feel like home.
Are you a part of any clubs / organizations / committees at ACC or outside of ACC? What are they and why did you choose them?
Yes! I volunteer with Reading Partners Colorado as a reading tutor in an elementary school once a week. As someone who struggled with reading as a child, I want to encourage young learners to discover the joy of reading—with the right support.
My daughter and I also volunteer at the Downtown Aurora Visual Arts Center, where we support the Family Arts Program (for caregivers with children ages 2–5) and Open Studio (for children ages 6–14). I’m a crafty person by nature, and this gives me a chance to be creative while helping children and families express themselves through art.
What is your mountain (ultimate goal)?
My ultimate goal is to encourage my students to become lifelong learners and to be the best educators they can be for the children and families they serve. I also want to continue researching and sharing strategies to support children impacted by trauma through play-based learning and positive relationships.
What has been your biggest accomplishment so far?
One of my proudest accomplishments has been working with the Early Childhood Education department and the Open Education Resource (OER) Committee to secure a grant that will allow our ECE AA degree to become a Z-degree—a program with zero textbook costs for students. It’s been a collaborative effort, and I’m excited about the progress we’re making
What's your favorite ACC memory so far?
My favorite memory is the engaging conversations during New Faculty Onboarding. Megan was a fantastic facilitator, and the group was dynamic and supportive. We still meet for lunch occasionally, which speaks to the connections we built.
Tell us a fun fact about you / Something about you that might surprise people.
My first career interest was actually to become a mortician! While I never pursued that path, I’m fortunate to engage with students in Mortuary Science at ACC. Special thanks to Ally Cabrera (MOR) for inviting me as a guest lecturer—it’s been a unique and meaningful experience.
Top 5 Movies
- Jaws
- Jurassic Park
- The Meg
- The Bodyguard
- Con Air
What is your advice to future and current students at ACC?
My advice is to take your educational journey one step at a time and give yourself grace along the way. Everyone’s educational journey is unique to their lived experiences. Do not be afraid to ask questions, seek support, or make mistakes, it’s part of the process called learning. Build relationships with your instructors and classmates. Most importantly, stay curious and open to new perspectives. Your experiences, voice, and effort matter more than you know. Go move mountains!
Do you know a student, staff member, faculty member, instructor, or alumni that you would like to nominate for an ACC Spotlight? jessica [dot] horning [at] arapahoe [dot] edu (Let us know!) Or if you would like to be spotlighted on the ACC blog, complete our Spotlight form.