Denver Peak Academy

My first week as an intern for the City and County of Denver, I was fortunate enough to go through Black Belt Training. Being that I am interning for the Denver Peak Academy Team this summer, there was no better introduction to what I’d be involved with for the next couple of months. The week long training, Mt. Antero Cohort #37, exceeded my expectations. On the first day of training I was quite nervous being that I obviously looked and felt out of place. By the last day, that had all changed. I felt as though I had been working with my classmates for years. I am extremely grateful to have met these people. On the last day we are asked to do a presentation. During the presentation the participant explains how they are going to make improvements in their department using the tools they learned in the class. I knew this would be a challenge, but giving what I had learned over the week, I was ready to give it a try. I decided to present on how I would use the tools I learned in my personal life. My fellow classmates, and facilitators, had me blushing profusely thanks to the standing ovation I was given after I presented. To be honest, I don’t feel my presentation was special by any means, but their response to me was overwhelming

Aside from learning a vast amount of information on process improvement, the Black Belt training gave me a better mindset, and attitude, on life itself. I can’t thank my fellow classmates enough for all of their generosity and help; if it weren’t for them I’m not sure I would have made it through the week. The facilitators (my co-workers) are some of the best of I have ever seen and I’m so incredibly lucky to be a part of this team. Each and every one of them has made my experience here remarkable and I’m tremendously appreciative for this opportunity. None of this would have been possible if it weren’t for Brian Elms, my supervisor. Fortunately I’ve known him for a few years and, I’ve always known he was a really good guy but I never knew just how special (in a really good way) a person he is until I started working on this team. If given the opportunity to take Black Belt or Green Belt training, I highly recommend it. It may seem like a lot at first, but it’s worth every single minute.