For years, Janie Aguilar found purpose in helping others learn and grow. She earned dual bachelor's degrees in early childhood and elementary education and spent six years teaching young learners. Thriving in the classroom, leading before- and after- school programs, serving on committees and celebrating milestones alongside her students — teaching wasn’t just her career, it was her calling.
But life has a way of taking unexpected turns. After becoming a mother, Janie began navigating challenges that extended far beyond parenthood. Years into an abusive relationship, she made the difficult decision to leave and start over on her own with her young son.
In the months that followed, ongoing safety concerns contributed to housing instability and made rebuilding difficult. Each day became a series of urgent decisions: where to live, how to stretch limited resources and how to care for her son. Future plans gave way to immediate concerns, and much of her energy went toward creating stability and keeping her small family moving forward.
"There were times where I was just in survival mode," Janie recalls. "Trying to get through the day, trying to keep myself safe, trying to keep my son safe."
As those demands grew, Janie put the career she had worked so hard to build on hold. The educator who had spent years helping others grow struggled to recognize herself. "I didn't have my own identity," she says. "I didn't have confidence."
"This program gave me the ability to learn who I am and what I can do."
Everything began to change when Janie connected with Vine Maple Place, a nonprofit that supports single-parent families experiencing housing instability. During conversations about her future, one of the organization's educational directors encouraged her to continue her education.
Initially, Janie explored master's degree programs that would allow her to combine her background in education with a deeper understanding of how to support children and parents navigating difficult circumstances. Through those discussions, she learned about a pilot partnership between VMP and UW Professional & Continuing Education that helps parents access certificate programs, scholarships and support services that reduce barriers to continuing their education.
That opportunity led to a UW Certificate Scholarship and enrollment in the UW Certificate in E-Learning Instructional Design. Supported by Continuum, the need-based scholarship helps ease the financial burden of professional education for adult learners. Since 2017, the program has awarded more than 200 scholarships to students pursuing UWPCE certificates.
Today, Janie is preparing for the next chapter of her career after earning the certificate. The experience gave her space to build new skills, reconnect with her strengths and imagine new possibilities for her future.
"This program gave me the ability to learn who I am and what I can do," Janie says.
Rediscovering Confidence
Through coursework in instructional design, educational technology, video production and AI-supported learning, Janie created projects that blended her teaching experience with new digital tools. She especially enjoyed working with technologies such as Articulate 360 and Camtasia, creating interactive lessons, instructional videos and digital learning experiences designed to engage learners in new ways.
As the projects accumulated, so did evidence of what Janie was capable of. “Being able to put projects together that I know can benefit other women and other children, reignited something in me,” she says. “It made me feel useful again, like I had a purpose.”
The work wasn't always easy. As a single mother, finding uninterrupted study time was often difficult. Support from Vine Maple Place, including access to childcare, helped Janie to attend class, complete assignments and continue moving toward her goals in ways that otherwise would not have been possible.
One of the most meaningful parts of the experience happened at home. While Janie studied, her son often worked alongside her, coloring, practicing writing and even pretending to read textbooks while she completed assignments. "He was able to see his mom learning, working hard and succeeding," she says. "That experience meant more to me than I can express."
A Pathway Back
By the end of the program, Janie had shifted her focus from finding a job to finding new ways to support families and learners. The uncertainty that once clouded her future had begun to give way to a renewed sense of direction.
"This will give me the opportunity to show my son what stability looks like. Our past doesn't have to define who we are."
Janie has always believed effective teaching means understanding the whole child, not just delivering curriculum. She strives to get to know each student, learning about their interests, personalities and experiences so she can create meaningful, engaging learning opportunities that meet them where they are.
That same student-centered approach has led her to look beyond the classroom and explore ways to better support families throughout a child's learning journey. Looking ahead, Janie hopes to build on both her classroom experience and newly developed digital learning skills to help families navigate educational challenges, whether through direct instruction, caregiver support or new approaches to learning.
Those goals began to take shape as graduation approached. Shortly after completing the certificate, she attended a VMP networking event where she connected with a representative from a local charter school. What began as a conversation about her son evolved into a discussion about her teaching experience, certificate and future goals. By the end of the event, she had been connected with the school's HR team.
Today, Janie is taking concrete steps back toward the profession she once thought she had left behind. She’s working to renew her teaching license and exploring opportunities as a substitute teacher. Long term, she hopes to return to the classroom full time and continue expanding her impact beyond it.
More than anything, Janie hopes her journey shows her son what perseverance can accomplish. "This will give me the opportunity to show my son what stability looks like," she says. "Our past doesn't have to define who we are."
For Janie, the scholarship and certificate opened more than a pathway back to education. They helped her rebuild confidence, strengthen her sense of purpose and prepare for the next chapter of her career. Her experience demonstrates how investing in one person can create lasting benefits that extend to children, schools and entire communities.
"Now I feel like I can impact other people. They say that your mess is your message, your pain becomes your purpose. And the tests I've gone through are now my testimonies," she says. "With this certificate, I can now share that with other people."