CHESAPEAKE, Va. — By day, the institute is an in-depth tutoring center for children. By night, it's an intense training ground for adults.
Jasaron Learning Insitute, LLC has a goal of helping everyone become leaders.
"We need people with strong integrity, with the desire, you know, to help others, have empathy, but at the same time, want to continue learning," said founder and Executive Director Dr. Shirley Auguste.
During her career as a teacher and administrator, Auguste said she developed a knack for helping students overcome obstacles in learning and development. While living in Florida, she began tutoring children out of her garage.
Auguste returned home to Chesapeake after taking a job as principal of an elementary school on the Eastern Shore. Then, in 2020, she stepped down from her position to open Jasaron, emphasizing homeschooling and tutoring. Today, the institute also offers afterschool enhancement programs as well as SAT, ACT, and GED prep.
The institute's name is a combination of the names of Auguste's children, Jasmine and Aaron, who she said helped her develop the teaching skills and techniques she uses today.
"We are a hybrid learning center where we are also holistic," Auguste said. "We build a relationship with them. We... improve their self-confidence.
Through a mix of small classes, one-on-one sessions, and virtual meetings, teachers help students set long-term goals and provide parents with effective learning practices at home.
"We meet the children's needs before we can actually teach them," Auguste said. "I tell the parents, 'It's OK if your kid doesn't do well,' because of the fact that it tells us where we need to start to help them and where we need to go."
A first-generation Haitian-American, Auguste said she takes a cross-cultural approach to education and coaching and teaches respect for diversity.
Jasaron also offers several services to adults, including resume writing, interview skills development, life coaching, business coaching, career coaching, and parenting classes. The institute helps small businesses through contract opportunities and company training, as well as aspiring teachers through mentoring and testing prep.
Auguste said it's important to reinforce lifelong learning and growth with adults as well.
"Adults still need affirmations," she said. "People can be themselves [here]. They can mess up, and we still validate them."
Jasaron aims to help everyone pave a path to success by looking beyond their performance and seeing their potential.
"They want to be able to go out and make a positive difference," Auguste said. "They want to be the leader that they were created to be."
If you'd like to learn more, Jasaron is holding an open house on June 15 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. You can also donate to the institute or call 757-208-7407 for more information.
Registration for homeschooled and pre-K students is now open. First through fifth graders can sign up for summer camp, which starts June 17.