Golden Apple: Congratulations to Mark Brown!

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — Congratulations to Mark Brown, our latest Golden Apple Award winner!

Mr. Brown is a full-time building substitute teacher at Rise Community School #106.

Inside of the school Mr. Brown is known as the “Tie-guy.”

“The kids love him so much that they can’t even help it.  They’re like, Mr. Brown! hey Mr. Brown can I have a tie,” says colleague, Regina Catalino.

Over the past 3 years Mr. Brown has given out dozens of ties.  For birthdays, good behavior, and sometimes just because….

Principal Djinga St. Louis says,

“He’s that silent hero, giving them their medal, their roses, something they will remember for the rest of their lives.”

As a building sub, Mr. Brown works in different classrooms all the time and when he isn’t filling in for a classroom teacher, he’s busy handing out snacks and being that extra caring adult in student’s lives.

“He knows these kids in a way that is truly impactful and inspiring,” says St, Louis.

Because all of the students know him so well, Principal St. Louis thought it would be fitting to surprise him with a Golden Apple Award in front of the entire school.   So, we had an impromptu assembly.

“I am so excited to be here today to give an award to a teacher that you all know and love- everyone follow me right over here- Mr. Brown congratulations you are the winner of a Golden Apple Award”

Teaching was something Mr. Brown sort of fell into when he was a stay-at-home dad years ago.  His favorite part of the job is the connection he has with the kids.

“These fifth graders were 4 years old when I started in this building and I look at them, they can read, tie ties they are awesome.  It’s a great experience to watch them learn and grow,” says Brown.

So why did he start handing out ties?  “As a sub, it just happened one day.   A student was having a difficult day and he said, “well if you give me that tie, I could have a good day” and it just morphed into this beautiful thing. It’s the ties that bind us together.  I’ve been doing it for over three years now, I take their picture.  It makes them so happy, it makes me happy and it warms my heart that something so simple as a tie that can pull us all together and bind us all together just makes them happy,” says Brown

A teacher and his ties making a tremendous impact.

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