A heart as big as the sky

How does a senior mechanical designer impact the lives of elementary students? Find out from Good Citizenship Award finalist Denny Flynn.

By Dana Engelbert

Denny Flynn has been attending Kenwood Elementary School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for 27 years and has yet to advance beyond the fifth grade. But the senior mechanical designer at Rockwell Collins likes it that way.

"I've grown a lot," said Flynn, who began volunteering at the elementary school he once attended when his youngest son was a student there in 1979. "I think I've had a good influence on the kids. I have never regretted it."

Rockwell Collins Good Citizenship Award finalist Denny Flynn has been volunteering at Kenwood Elementary School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for 27 years.
Photo by Paul Marlow, The Creative Gene, LLC

At first, Flynn and his wife, Diane, volunteered for the school's Parent Teacher Association (PTA). After the couple spent five years in various PTA leadership roles, he later transitioned into the classroom where he has been volunteering ever since.

"Everyone needs to step up – these kids are our future," said Flynn, whose three children once attended Kenwood. "Everyone has an obligation to push them and to help them become the best they can be."

Going the extra mile

Each year, Flynn works with students in three classrooms – fourth-grade, fifth-grade and special needs. His classroom roles change depending on needs defined by the students and also their teachers.

"Denny goes the extra mile for the kids," said fifth-grade teacher Lora Schmoll, who has worked with Flynn for several years. "When he comes into the classroom to volunteer, he never shows up empty-handed. And he brings a heart as big as the sky."

During the 2006-07 school year, which ended June 4, Flynn created a game similar to Candy Land to help fourth-grade students understand the concepts of math. He also participated in the "Speak Up" curriculum in the fifth-grade classroom, which allows students to practice their communication and public speaking skills.

In addition, Schmoll asked that he work closely with two new students who arrived in Cedar Rapids from the Republic of Guinea on the western coast of Africa, and spoke only Mandingo French.

"It was very difficult for these two kids to communicate when they arrived," said Flynn, who helped the brother and sister learn English and taught them the basics of everyday life such as telling time and counting money. "They've been such a pleasure to work with. It's been a lot of fun watching them progress."

Today, both of the African students know all 50 states and they are writing Haikus and limericks.

"It's a wonderful feeling when you walk into the school, and go into the classroom," said Flynn, who was recognized recently as one four Rockwell Collins Good Citizenship Award finalists. "We all have to go to school, so it might as well be fun. My summers drag because I don't get to go to school."

A passion for education

For Flynn, volunteering at Kenwood has reignited his passion for education. Although he originally attended college and planned to become a teacher, he was offered a job in the technology field after completing his junior year. Because he and Diane wanted to get married, Flynn accepted the job and left his college days behind.

However, Flynn returned to the classroom as a student himself a couple of years ago, and after completing a class this summer, he will be certified as a paraprofessional educator. He also plans to continue passing on his gift of teaching.

"The best thing a person can do is learn a new skill," said Flynn. "The second best thing is to pass it on."

Flynn's volunteer efforts have not only affected the students and staff at Kenwood Elementary School, he also is an inspiration to his colleagues at Rockwell Collins.

"Denny is an amazing example," said Senior Community Relations Specialist Jenny Becker, who also coordinates our company's K-12 Business Education Partnership Program. "He's really developed a relationship with the students and teachers at Kenwood, and his dedication is amazing."

According to Flynn, he wouldn't be able to spend time as a classroom volunteer if it weren't for our company's commitment to the area K-12 program.

"I'm so proud of Rockwell Collins," said Flynn. "Our company has done so many great things for education, and that's what makes me the proudest."

— Dana Engelbert is a freelance writer.

Volume 12 Issue 3 > One big, happy family > A heart as big as the sky
Volume 12 Issue 3 Deeply rooted in our heritage Delivering on our brand promise Feeding our economic engine One big, happy family A heart as big as the sky For the love of the land A 'courageous' volunteer Committed to customer support From Clay Jones Executive Profile - Kelly Ortberg Our heritage Letters to the editor Contributors in this issue Across our company Service anniversaries Retirees In memoriam Facility spotlight		A heart as big as the sky How does a senior mechanical designer impact the lives of elementary students? Find out from Good Citizenship Award finalist Denny Flynn. By Dana Engelbert Denny Flynn has been attending Kenwood Elementary School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for 27 years and has yet to advance beyond the fifth grade. But the senior mechanical designer at Rockwell Collins likes it that way. "I've grown a lot," said Flynn, who began volunteering at the elementary school he once attended when his youngest son was a student there in 1979. "I think I've had a good influence on the kids. I have never regretted it." Rockwell Collins Good Citizenship Award finalist Denny Flynn has been volunteering at Kenwood Elementary School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for 27 years. Photo by Paul Marlow, The Creative Gene, LLC At first, Flynn and his wife, Diane, volunteered for the school's Parent Teacher Association (PTA). After the couple spent five years in various PTA leadership roles, he later transitioned into the classroom where he has been volunteering ever since. "Everyone needs to step up – these kids are our future," said Flynn, whose three children once attended Kenwood. "Everyone has an obligation to push them and to help them become the best they can be." Going the extra mile Each year, Flynn works with students in three classrooms – fourth-grade, fifth-grade and special needs. His classroom roles change depending on needs defined by the students and also their teachers. "Denny goes the extra mile for the kids," said fifth-grade teacher Lora Schmoll, who has worked with Flynn for several years. "When he comes into the classroom to volunteer, he never shows up empty-handed. And he brings a heart as big as the sky." During the 2006-07 school year, which ended June 4, Flynn created a game similar to Candy Land to help fourth-grade students understand the concepts of math. He also participated in the "Speak Up" curriculum in the fifth-grade classroom, which allows students to practice their communication and public speaking skills. In addition, Schmoll asked that he work closely with two new students who arrived in Cedar Rapids from the Republic of Guinea on the western coast of Africa, and spoke only Mandingo French. "It was very difficult for these two kids to communicate when they arrived," said Flynn, who helped the brother and sister learn English and taught them the basics of everyday life such as telling time and counting money. "They've been such a pleasure to work with. It's been a lot of fun watching them progress." Today, both of the African students know all 50 states and they are writing Haikus and limericks. "It's a wonderful feeling when you walk into the school, and go into the classroom," said Flynn, who was recognized recently as one four Rockwell Collins Good Citizenship Award finalists. "We all have to go to school, so it might as well be fun. My summers drag because I don't get to go to school." A passion for education For Flynn, volunteering at Kenwood has reignited his passion for education. Although he originally attended college and planned to become a teacher, he was offered a job in the technology field after completing his junior year. Because he and Diane wanted to get married, Flynn accepted the job and left his college days behind. However, Flynn returned to the classroom as a student himself a couple of years ago, and after completing a class this summer, he will be certified as a paraprofessional educator. He also plans to continue passing on his gift of teaching. "The best thing a person can do is learn a new skill," said Flynn. "The second best thing is to pass it on." Flynn's volunteer efforts have not only affected the students and staff at Kenwood Elementary School, he also is an inspiration to his colleagues at Rockwell Collins. "Denny is an amazing example," said Senior Community Relations Specialist Jenny Becker, who also coordinates our company's K-12 Business Education Partnership Program. "He's really developed a relationship with the students and teachers at Kenwood, and his dedication is amazing." According to Flynn, he wouldn't be able to spend time as a classroom volunteer if it weren't for our company's commitment to the area K-12 program. "I'm so proud of Rockwell Collins," said Flynn. "Our company has done so many great things for education, and that's what makes me the proudest." — Dana Engelbert is a freelance writer.