Janice McDonald named to CCSD Legacy Stadium Wall of Fame
The Cherry Creek Schools Board of Education has named longtime district volunteer, employee, and former board member Janice McDonald as the newest inductee to the Legacy Stadium Educational Leadership Wall of Fame. McDonald will be recognized for her lasting contributions to Cherry Creek Schools during an induction celebration on May 6 at Overland High School.
“Janice McDonald's life and career are examples of excellence and inclusion. She exemplifies leadership and caring in everything she does in her personal and professional life,” said former State Senator Janet P. Buckner, who often sought McDonald’s opinion when working on legislation affecting education.
McDonald and her husband, the Rev. Wayne McDonald, moved to Aurora in 1975 to raise their family. Their five children attended Eastridge Elementary, then Ponderosa Elementary, Prairie Middle School, and Overland High School, before going on to earn their college degrees and start their own families. The McDonalds now have 19 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren, 21 of whom also attended Cherry Creek Schools.
As her children went through the district, McDonald became a regular volunteer and a staple in the schools. At Ponderosa, she served as vice president and president of the PTCO and represented the school on Parents’ Council. She also volunteered with Panthers with a Purpose, a mentorship program for young Black girls. At Prairie Middle School, she served on the School Accountability Committee and started several multi-cultural programs, including the Black student groups Men of Distinction and Women of Distinction. Each month, she would offer a presentation to students about diverse cultures, countries, and industries. She also developed a student-adult mentoring program specifically geared toward young Black students.
Prior to volunteering in the schools, McDonald volunteered for Colorado Mental Health and served on the Aurora Mental Health board. She also served on the City of Aurora Human Relations Commission later becoming Chair of the Commission. During this time, she was chosen to be one of the keynote speakers at the groundbreaking ceremony for Aurora's Martin Luther King Library.
McDonald holds an associate degree in early childhood education from the Community College of Denver and a bachelor’s degree in business management from the University of Phoenix. She taught preschool for three years at Denver Opportunity Head Start and for four years through the City of Aurora Parks and Recreation Department. She then joined the Cherry Creek School District, working as a paraprofessional for the Smoky Hill High School I-Team for three years before going on to work as a community liaison at Prairie Middle School. She served in that role for 21 years before retiring from the district.
However, retirement didn’t mean her service to students was over. In November 2015, McDonald was elected to the Cherry Creek Schools Board of Education as the first Black woman to serve in that role. As the representative for District B, she prioritized strengthening community involvement and focused on closing the achievement gap for all students. Former Board of Education member Eric Parish recalls that McDonald always asked this guiding question; “How are the children?”
“This question prioritized children in every decision made and every action taken by Janice, the board, and the administration,” Parish said.
McDonald served two, four-year terms on the board. During her first term, she served as board secretary, then as vice president during her second term.
Through her years of dedicated service and compassionate leadership, she ensured that the children of Cherry Creek Schools have every opportunity to learn, thrive, and succeed.
McDonald will join the following honorees in the Legacy Stadium Educational Leadership Wall of Fame: Past superintendents Dr. Richard Koeppe, Dr. Robert Tschirki, Dr. Monte Moses, and Mary Chesley; educators John Buckner, Eric Flor, George Mansfield, Jack Platt, and Dr. Judy Hilton; community volunteer Robin Thorsen, and a group of Polton Award Honorees. The Wall of Fame, located in Legacy Stadium, is a tribute to exemplary individuals and groups who have left a lasting legacy in their dedication and commitment to excellence in Cherry Creek Schools.
Posted 3/24/2025.