At Academy of Hope Adult Public Charter School (AoH), our Student Support Team (SST) is dedicated to advancing adult learners’ well-being and educational achievement.
Each campus has two Student Support (SS) Specialists, one assigned to daytime learners and one to evening learners. Specialists are available to connect with learners by phone, email, or in person—either by appointment or walk-in—to discuss any concerns learners wish to address.
According to Ward 5 Daytime SS Specialist Shatyra “Shay” Henry, the majority of learners who speak with the SST discuss personal challenges (i.e., housing, childcare, finances) and how these challenges affect their mental health and performance at school.
“[For high school learners] it might be the reason why they don’t increase levels,” Shay said.
Recognizing this trend, SST prioritizes taking preventive and reactive measures. Learners “in crisis”— who are identified through a Self-Sufficiency Assessment each semester— are sent bi-weekly emails with helpful resources on housing, local food pantries, etc. The same resources are sometimes posted on Schoology for a wider reach. Shay recommends that learners in need reach out to their SS Specialists for more personalized support and resources.
In addition, SST hosts themed programs that tackle important topics that affect adults for learners throughout the semester. For Mental Health Awareness Month in May and beyond, SST has focused this spring’s semester on mental health. One of the programs has been Note to Self, a three-month journaling series led by Shay.
As a licensed Clinical Therapist and Resource Clinician, Shay has experience with guided journaling and notes the importance of intentional reflection for building mental health, emotional intelligence, and confidence. Shay loves using the Start Where You Are: A Journal for Self-Exploration, by Meera Lee Patel.
The guided journal offers thought-provoking prompts, reflective quotes, and creative exercises, including writing, drawing, and list making, that increase self-awareness, clarity, and a deeper understanding of where they are and what they want in their future. Then, through facilitated discussions, Shay creates a safe environment for learners to share and reflect to make priorities for a meaningful future.
Additionally, SST will continue the conversation with their mental health series throughout May. The first included Plant Your Feelings, led by Ward 8 SS Specialist Porsha James. Plant Your Feelings focused on creating a positive path forward through planting new seeds in a make-your-own flower pot.
Later, a Mental Health Event will include an intake and information from Catholic Charities, followed by a Mental Health Bingo and Emotional Volcano workshops.
“The Emotional Volcano workshop discusses the emotional volcano inside of you and how it can erupt when dealing with Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. If you’re struggling with housing and other challenges, not meeting your needs, it impacts how you show up at school.”
Through these educational programs, workshops, and resource lists, SST hopes learners apply their newfound knowledge and self-awareness to create and follow sustainable habits that help them tackle their personal challenges, leaving a lasting positive impact on their mental health. By building these skills, participants strengthen their resilience and build a foundation for achieving their educational and career goals, ultimately advancing economic mobility to break cycles for future generations.
If you are an AoH learner in need of support or looking to learn more about the different programs SST offers, find and reach out to your SS Specialist:
- Ward 5 Daytime: Shatrya Henry, shatrya@aohdc.org
- Ward 5 Evening: Coretta Edwards, coretta@aohdc.org
- Ward 8 Daytime: Porsha James, porsha@aohdc.org
- Ward 8 Evening: Nathaniel Swinson, nathaniel@aohdc.org