Seeking Volunteers for Summer Term

The Academy of Hope is currently recruiting new volunteers for both teaching and tutoring positions in the upcoming summer semester.

Volunteers teach and tutor students in basic education classes (reading, writing and math), preparation for the GED exam (reading, writing, math, social studies and science), and the External Diploma Program (an alternative program for adults to earn their actual high school diploma).

GED is the First Step for Latest Grad

"Doors were shutting in my face..." 

Troy Knight heard about Academy of Hope's GED program from a friend. He decided it was time to return to school while in the middle of an unsuccessful job-search, after learning that he would need a high-school credential to qualify for most apprenticeship programs. “Doors were shutting in my face…” he says.

“Oh, definitely…” Troy replies, when asked if any challenges outside of school had ever made progress difficult. “Personal issues,” and shifting employment and living arrangements all had to be overcome. He says that passing the test in the face of these challenges took much determination, and he gives credit to supportive family members and friends for helping along the way. Troy adds that Academy of Hope staff helped him stay persistent. He chuckles, recalling the many prodding phone calls made by staff-member Jessie Stadd (pictured above on right), urging him to apply for a D.C. ID, sign up for a test date, and get plenty of rest.

Now that he has passed the test Troy’s focus is on his next move, “I want to take it as far as I can take it,” he says, “the GED is a necessity for me, and now that I have it I’m planning on going to college.”

Troy (above-left) is the 16th Academy of Hope student to receive a high-school credential this year.  For more stories and insights follow our "Push for 40" graduates.  

On Track for Record number of Graduates

Pushing for 40

This year, as we celebrate our 25th year of existence, we have even more cause for celebration. We are projecting that 40 individuals will earn their high school credential by the end of our fiscal year.

Forty would be the largest number of graduates in any given year for Academy of Hope.  Approximately 21 adults earn their high school credential each year. Our largest number of graduates was in 1995 when 28 adult learners earned their high school credential.

To understand the significance of this accomplishment, one must first understand what it takes for an adult learner to earn a high school credential and what it takes for a small community based, adult learning center to make a difference:

Winter-Spring Newsletter Out Now!

Academy of Hope's seasonally published newsletter "The Literacy Connection" is now available online in PDF format.

In the latest newsletter you will find details about:

• New programs--AoH is now involved in a collaboration in Ward 8!
• Good news for the Pathways program--major funding!
• Strive for Success living up to it's name--student successes!
• An exciting update about recent graduate Michael Cola--Adult Learner of the Year! 

Part-Time Teaching Openings at Academy of Hope

Academy of Hope is currently hiring part-time Adult Basic Education and GED instructors. We have positions open at different facilities and at various times throughout the day.

Qualifications:

• Bachelors Degree in Education, Social Services or a related field 
• Teaching certification is a plus. 
• Must have experience teaching and working with adult learners. 

To apply for any position, send resumes to jobs@aohdc.org and use the subject line of your e-mail to specify which position you prefer.

Positions Available:

• Adult Basic Education/GED Instructor (part-time)
• Pathways Math Instructor (part-time)
• GED Math Instructor (part-time)

Position details are available here.

Press Release: Comcast Foundation Funds AoH Pathways to College

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Comcast Foundation Awards Grant to Academy of Hope to Support the Pathways to College Program

Washington, D.C. – February 16, 2010 - The Comcast Foundation has awarded a $25,000 grant to Academy of Hope (AoH) to support its Pathways to College program.  AoH’s Pathways to College program is designed to help AoH graduates and individuals who, despite having a high school diploma or GED, need to improve their academic skills to enter college credit bearing courses.  Funding from the Comcast Foundation will support technology coaches and college field trips for individuals enrolled in the Pathways to College program.

“We are grateful to Comcast for its generous contribution,” said Lecester Johnson, Executive Director for Academy of Hope.  “The Comcast Foundation grant will help us to continue enhancing our post-secondary services for AoH graduates and District of Columbia residents interested in continuing their education beyond a high school diploma or GED.”

“Comcast is committed to partnering with local organizations to strengthen the communities that we serve,” said Fred Graffam, regional senior vice president for Comcast.  “We are proud to support Academy of Hope in their efforts to make a real and meaningful difference in our local communities.”

AoH Volunteer Discusses HIV and Life-Skills Science

Volunteer Karyn Pomerantz, from the GWU School of Public Health and Health Services, teaches a course on life skills science at AoH. She is dedicated to drawing the connection between low-literacy, injustice, and poor access to health information and healthcare.

In a recent post on the DC LEARN's Literacy Blog she describes some of the misconceptions her students had about health and disease, due to lack of access to information and the skills needed to distinguish good information.  She also mentions some of the outcomes of their discussions:

We spent a few sessions talking about preventive screenings...  One student visited his doctor with the list of screenings recommended for him and asked his doctor to schedule them.  The doctor stared at him in surprise, probably not expecting that he would even know what to request!  Yet, the doctor promised to schedule the tests in the future.