Urban Leadership Foundation of Colorado honors Jasper Armstrong

The Urban Leadership Foundation of Colorado recently honored Cherry Creek Schools employee Jasper Armstrong as a 2022 Wellington and Wilma Webb Leadership and Legacy Awardee for his work in the community. 

Armstrong, who works as an Equity Partner in the Cherry Creek School District’s Office of Equity, Culture, and Community Engagement, and oversaw the launch of the Summer Leadership Academy this year, was humbled and grateful for the honor.

“It’s like winning an Academy Award for community work,” Armstrong said. “It’s incredible because my work as an educator is all about impact. How is the work I’m doing impacting my community? How is the way I’m showing up impacting people I work with? How is it challenging the system to see itself differently?”

A native of Aurora and one of five children, Armstrong graduated from Eaglecrest High School and attended Colorado State University, where he played football for several years. He eventually earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Northern Colorado in African Studies and returned to community work.

Working with the Summer Leadership Academy this year gave Armstrong a chance to bring his positivity and impact to students going through difficult experiences.

“The results of the program were astronomical,” Armstrong said. “These are students who are traditionally underserved in our school system, who come together, work together, build community, and discuss really tough issues like youth gun and gang violence.”

Previously, Armstrong worked at Overland High School as a licensed special education teacher and developed an intervention program for Black males focused on self-advocacy, study skills, problem solving, and empowerment. He also worked as an intervention specialist and coached football at Grandview High School. At the end of the day, he is focused on what he can continue to do to support students.

“I am so proud of all the students who have inspired me to be my best,” Armstrong said. “We have an opportunity as educators to impact the future in a very real way. We can all pay it forward and keep focusing on the kids in this next generation. That’s where we will see real change.”

 

Posted 11/2/22.