When you meet Denise Nichols, it’s evident how much she enjoys working in DCSD’s BASE program and forming relationships with staff and DCSD families. Denise started her career with DCSD as a program aide at Summit View Elementary. She transitioned to the role of assistant manager of the Before and After School Enterprise (BASE) program at Acres Green Elementary (AGE) and was then promoted to BASE manager. There she enjoyed working with the staff and AGE families for nearly 20 years. BASE is an on-site, school-age childcare program for students ages five through 13 years old.
Now in her seventh year as a BASE area manager, Denise oversees 13 BASE programs at schools throughout the district. Along with hiring staff and conducting safety and security trainings, she visits her schools monthly to check in on the program. Denise does miss the daily routine of connecting with students.
“I'm still here every day for kids, it’s just now in a different capacity,” she said. “There’s no other job that makes you feel like a rock star when you walk through the door. Kids are so happy for that adult connection!”
The connections she makes with her students and families are lasting. While managing the BASE program at AGE, Denise got to know a single mom who was raising four children. Now, all her kids are serving in the military and one of them came to visit Denise before leaving for boot camp. A former BASE student who is now in middle school recently shared with Denise that she is doing well in school only because Denise helped her with homework years ago. It’s these encounters that remind Denise of the importance of her work and the positive influence she has on children.
When working with staff Denise says it’s the soft skills that really matter.
"The ability to listen to staff and offer suggestions is very important. I view my position as a support role for managers. I’m helping leaders grow,” she said. “I want to make them feel supported and cared for.”
With Denise’s years of experience managing a BASE program, she knows firsthand the challenges that staff face.
“It’s easy to put myself in their shoes because I WAS in their shoes for years,” she said.
Denise shared a story about a BASE manager who calls Denise on her way home from work every evening to “debrief” and to get things off her chest so that when she gets home, she can unplug from work. That’s just an example of the kind of above-and-beyond duties that Denise takes in stride. DCSD has 10 male BASE managers and one was a DCSD Apple Award nominee. Denise said having male role models for this age group is very important.
BASE staff are DCSD employees who take the required Licensing Colorado School Age Training and participate in many of the same training opportunities at their school and through DCSD.
“We can also attend professional conferences and the fact that Superintendent Erin Kane supports this is great,” said Denise. “The growth opportunity is fantastic for BASE staff who are interested in advancing their career.”