“If we want to raise our community up and have a sustainable quality of life, we have to focus on education,” says Danny Pate, Vice President of Operations for CenturyLink, Champions For Learning Board member, and chair of the Golden Apple Event Committee.
Danny and his family moved to Naples in January 2015 and quickly got involved after learning about Champions For Learning.
His passion for education inspired him to join the Champions For Learning Golden Apple Event Committee where he is chairing the event for the second year. The Golden Apple Celebration of Teachers, honors and thanks the Golden Apple Recipients, Teachers of Distinction, and Collier County Pubic Schools Teachers of the Year.
“It’s an honor to be part of a collaborative process in the recognition of our teachers,” says Danny. “They put their heart and soul into their teaching and want the best outcome for their students. It’s a wonderful thing that they are recognized.”
As an employee of CenturyLink, supporting students and teachers comes second nature. CenturyLink has developed a core culture around teachers and technology and uses its’ Corporate Clark M. Williams Foundation to add focus on bringing new technologies into classrooms nationwide.
“My personal interest in education and the company’s engagement makes it a perfect match for me,” says Danny.
Danny also has a strong belief in community partnerships and how this can benefit local classrooms.
“We have the partnerships to be very influential,” says Danny. “Businesses can come together for the greater good; we need to invest our human, technical, and intellectual capital to drive improvement and innovation that ultimately benefits teachers and students. These collaborations and successful outcomes help the talent pipeline and the overall community, which in turn helps businesses grow with educated and skilled people in the workforce. We know we’re having success when we’re bringing the entire community together for a much bigger goal.”
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