Editor’s note: This article by Dawnae Burnett is the latest installment of monthly contributions to Boardhawk from Ednium: The Alumni Collective. Dawnae recently won Ednium’s Founder Award, as entrepreneur of the year,
My journey through Denver East High School was transformative.
I graduated from Denver Public Schools in 2013, and the lessons I learned there continue to shape me today. DPS wasn’t just a school, it was where my potential was nurtured, my ambitions fueled, and my values solidified.
The rigorous academics, encouraging teachers, and diverse peers created an environment that prepared me for life beyond high school.
One of the most impactful aspects of my DPS experience was the sense of community. The teachers and staff didn’t just teach, they inspired me. Whether in the classroom, counselor’s office, or future center, they encouraged me to dream big and push past my limits.
Through these relationships, I learned resilience, collaboration, and perseverance—qualities that are now the foundation of my personal and professional life.
Graduating from DPS gave me a strong foundation. It equipped me with critical thinking, a global perspective, and the confidence to tackle challenges head-on. More importantly, it instilled in me the belief that success is not just about individual achievement but also about uplifting others.
After graduating, I attended Colorado State University-Fort Collins, where I studied human development and family studies with a concentration in early childhood professions. The transition from high school to college wasn’t always easy, but the values and skills I gained at DPS helped me navigate the challenges.
From adapting to rigorous academics to finding my voice in new spaces, I often reflected on the lessons I learned at DPS.
During my time at CSU, I dreamed of owning a childcare center — one that would provide high-quality, affordable early education for children, particularly Black and Brown children, from birth to age five.
The path wasn’t always linear. Moments of doubt and setbacks tested my resolve, but I leaned on the resilience I developed at DPS to keep moving forward. Every step — planned or unexpected —taught me valuable lessons and brought me closer to my goals.
Today, I am the owner, director, and lead teacher at Devyne Scholar Academy. I have the privilege of providing high-quality, affordable early education to 12 children and their families each year. This work is deeply fulfilling, as I strive to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the children I serve.
I started Devyne Scholar Academy after the birth of my first child, when I returned to the workforce and found that I could barely afford anything beyond childcare and health insurance. I realized there was a gap that I wanted to fill: providing high-quality childcare while also earning a livable wage to take care of my family.
It was important to me to create a solution that could help other parents in similar situations — offering affordable childcare without compromising on quality.
I’ve always been passionate about the critical importance of the early years, from birth to five, and how a child’s experiences during this time can shape the rest of their life. I wanted to be a part of that impact and help provide children with the foundation they need to thrive. You never know how far your influence can go when it comes to shaping the future of a child, and that’s what motivated me to start DSA.
Beyond my professional role, I am also a proud mother of two. Giving back to the community has always been important to me, and I strive to leave a positive impact wherever I can.
I attribute much of my success to the foundation provided to me by DPS. The leadership skills, work ethic, and emphasis on community engagement instilled in me have shaped my career and personal life in profound ways.
Being considered for The Founder Award, or entrepreneur of the year, from Ednium is a tremendous honor and deeply humbling. To me, this award represents more than personal recognition, it symbolizes the collective effort of everyone who has contributed to my journey. My family, teachers, mentors, and peers all played a role in shaping who I am today, and this award is as much a testament to them as it is to me.
The Founder Award also reflects DPS’s legacy of fostering excellence, resilience, and the use of one’s talents for the greater good. Receiving this award inspires me to continue striving for excellence and upholding the values that have guided me thus far.
Looking ahead, my hopes are twofold: personal growth and broader impact. On a personal level, I aim to challenge myself to grow in my career, deepen my knowledge, and find innovative ways to make a difference in my field. I look forward to expanding Devyne Scholar Academy to serve even more children and families.
On a broader scale, I hope to inspire and support others. Just as my teachers and mentors believed in me, I want to uplift the next generation, helping them realize their potential and encouraging them to dream boldly.
I also envision a future where access to education and opportunity is equitable for all. The lessons I learned at DPS remind me that every child deserves a chance to succeed, and I want to help make that vision a reality.
DPS set me on a path of purpose and growth, and I am forever grateful for the role it played in shaping who I am today. I look forward to continuing this legacy by empowering others to dream boldly and achieve greatness.
