Volunteers are essential to the Academy of Hope Adult Public Charter School (AoH). On July 2, World Tutor Day, we recognize several outstanding volunteer tutors who help learners strengthen their skills in writing, math, reading, social studies, and science.
Inspired by their personal experiences, Janis Brennan and Dana Winner have developed a strong commitment to AoH’s mission, which began during their time as tutors and continues to guide them.
Read more about Janis and Dana, and their time as tutors, below:
Janis Brennan
Just as AoH learners do, Janis Brennan sought a path to economic mobility.
As a single mother in the 1980s, she would want to obtain a higher-paying career to support herself and her children. Previously a paralegal and legal assistant, she decided to progress her education and attend law school. She’d relocate to Washington, D.C., to attend Georgetown University in 1984, setting her up for her 34-year-long career as an international lawyer.
Defending foreign governments and state-owned corporations for 80 hours a week, she didn’t have time to volunteer as she desired. She’d always had a passion for adult literacy and adult education, hoping to support an organization serving these issues sometime in the future.
Once she’d retire in 2021, Janis would finally have time to devote her efforts to adult education. Janis would start as a high school pathway, National External Diploma Program (NEDP), tutor for the Ward 8 campus in October 2023. She has assisted five learners who started in the early stages of NEDP, helping them master the four subjects as they progress through the program and earn their high school diploma. Individual support varies from two to five times a week, depending on their level of need.
Her favorite part about tutoring is building relationships with the learners. Each of her five learners has varied in age, background, and ability, challenging her to adapt as a mentor and friend. But despite their differences, she loves watching them all grow and apply their knowledge to make a better life for themselves, knowing they may not have had that support in the past.
Most recently, she would remember celebrating previous tutoree Loretta M. for expanding her education outside of her high school diploma, earning a phlebotomy credential. Janis would be emotional and proud of her accomplishment, excited to see “how she changed her life.”
After two years of tutoring, she feels honored to contribute to AoH’s mission of uplifting hope and plans to continue doing so.
“It is hugely impressive to be a small part of such a great team. People who are devoted and whose devotion is producing results … for over 40 years now and have had an impact on thousands of people’s lives.”
Dana Winner
Dana has spent decades helping those in poverty build stronger lives. She advocated for stateless people in Kuwait and, upon returning to the U.S., volunteered for the Samaritan Ministry of Greater Washington. There, she helped homeless individuals gain vital identification and addresses, enabling them to pursue employment and rebuild their lives.
While working toward her second master’s degree in education, Dana grew more interested in how DC’s education system helps families move up economically. She learned about adult education, high school pathways, workforce training, and digital literacy/AI programs.
“People will have two choices in work life: One option is to become a master of how to use AI in a particular field, and another option is to go for a career that AI cannot take over in the next three to five or so years or maybe longer, so hands-on healthcare, hands-on childcare … But no matter which of those paths people take, they need a high level of digital literacy and digital citizenship.”
So, when Dana discovered that the AoH provides high-quality education, in-demand workforce training, and digital literacy/AI courses to adults in DC to help overcome these employment hurdles and achieve economic mobility, Dana was hooked.
She has served as a tutor for the Ward 8 campus, assisting individuals and groups in improving their math skills to progress in their education and pursue other skills, such as digital literacy/AI courses. She remembers tutoring an individual with a learning disability, working with her to gain math comprehension and earn her high school diploma. That same individual went on to study at the University of the District of Columbia (UDC). Her achievement excited Dana and reinstated her belief in the value of education.
Additionally, Dana has volunteered at various community events, including the Stride for Hope 5k & Homecoming Festival and Adopt a Block clean-up, in partnership with Clean City DC. These events engaged AoH learners, alumni, staff, and community members to raise awareness about AoH, inspire enrollment, and reinforce the AoH mission.
While Dana’s volunteer journey has just begun, she is eager to continue serving adult learners, learn more about the power of adult educati on, and continue employing her advocate spirit.
Conclusion
Janis Brennan and Dana Winner developed a strong commitment to AoH’s mission. Their dedication to AoH learners is reflected by the program’s expanding outcomes, reflecting a mutually beneficial partnership in which both the organization and its supporters grow and thrive together.
Interested in becoming a tutor or learning more about additional volunteer opportunities at AoH? Click HERE to discover our needs and complete a Volunteer Interest Application.