Salute to Our Great Hearts Veterans: Michael Denk

Great Hearts Academies are pleased to recognize, celebrate, and honor some of the amazing Veterans in our schools who have not only served our country in the military, but have continued to do outstanding work to support the students of Great Hearts.

“My military background stretches back into my childhood, as I was a military dependent growing up. My father was in the Air Force.”   Nearly one year after Michael Denk graduated high school, he also joined the United States Air Forceand served 4 years.

Denk spent his time serving in Mountain Home, Idaho and Panama City, Panama where he was assigned to the Civil Engineering Squadron as an Electrical Systems Specialist.  “Essentially, I was an interior/exterior electrician. My primary responsibilities focused on maintaining the electrical systems on base, including the airfield lighting.  During contingency times (war), my responsibilities included rapid runway repair and contributing to the damage assessment team. In the event that our runways were to be bombed, I would be part of the crew that would lay down and secure fiberglass matting to ensure that planes could land and take off safely. If any facilities were damaged, my responsibilities included assessing the damage and what it would take to make repairs necessary to restore essential services.”

Mr. Denk is in his fourth year of teaching at Great Hearts.  He started at Archway Trivium and is now a 7th grade Physical Science teacher at Trivium Preporatory Academy. “Mr. Denk is dedicated to his students’ success both as people and as scholars, and he works tirelessly to that end,” said Trivium Prep headmaster Dan Schutten.  “His own personal love for learning and pursuit of excellence is contagious to his students and those around him.”

“My background has given me a sense of duty for my job and a desire to strive for excellence,” said Denk.  “Additionally, being in the military, and having grown up in it, you learn to be extremely flexible with change. You learn to adapt to situations on the fly and also how to navigate relationships with people from diverse backgrounds.”

“Serving for four years in our military in order to earn money for college gave me a deep appreciation for my education.  Seeing first-hand the type of education that Great Hearts provides has not only encouraged me as a parent to three scholars, but it has also inspired me to become a faculty member, as well.”

Please join Great Hearts in honoring Veterans like Mr. Denk who have served our country.

Do you have a story or know of a story that you would like to see featured at Great Hearts?  Please contact jmoore@greatheartsamerica.org.