August 11th, 2025 | Issue 6

🥳Welcome to the 2025–2026 school year! We're here to support, empower, and celebrate your success every step of the way!

Start-up season is in full swing, and this year, we’re focused on building stronger teams, growing our careers, and making sure every site has what it needs to succeed. That’s where AB Pulse comes in—your all-in-one mobile app for staying connected, discovering new tools, and unlocking your path to growth. From quick updates to our brand-new Site Success Guide, it’s designed with your real-world needs in mind.

As you kick off the year, don’t forget to share your first-day moments using the label ABFirstDay to be featured in our Back to School Gallery on AB Pulse! Let’s celebrate the energy, the smiles, and the heart you bring to your site every single day.

Stay connected, keep learning, and continue making a difference!

*P.S. Stay tuned—September brings exciting updates, including our 20th Anniversary celebration and new AB Pulse streams to help you learn, grow, and launch your career at AlphaBEST and beyond.

🎉 Congrats to July's New Hires and Promotions! 🎉

📍 Regional & District Leadership

Brianna Ogar, Area Manager, Rhode Island

Jasmine Rankin, Area Manager, California

Nathalie Remy, Area Manager, Virginia

🛠️ Operations & Support

Aaron Nelson, Manager of Data Analytics, North Carolina

Tom Ballam, Data Analytics Specialist, Texas

Natisha Brandon, Customer Care Representative, North Carolina

Julie Green, Director of Program Compliance, Virginia

Merri McCullough, Customer Care Representative, North Carolina

Jasmine Means, Customer Care Representative, North Carolina

Jacklyn Stoops, Manager of Subsidy, Virginia

Kasi Baldwin-Webster, Manager of Training Compliance, Texas

🏫 Site Leadership & Educators

Site Directors: 89

Group Leaders & Assistants: 361

🗣️ Who’s in Your State Chats on AB Pulse?

AB Pulse now includes two smart group chats for every state—automatically created based on your role and location. That means no setup needed, just open AB Pulse and start connecting!🔹

State Leadership Chat

A dedicated space for your state’s leadership team to collaborate, coordinate support, and share important updates.

Includes: Regional Directors, Regional Managers, HR Recruiters, Regional IT Support Specialist, District Managers, Area Managers, Area Manager Assistants, and

Site Directors.

State-Wide Chat

A space for everyone in your state—where we can celebrate wins, share info, and build a stronger community together.

Includes: Everyone listed above plus Group Leaders, Group Leader Assistants, and Group Leader Substitutes.

💬 Want to stay even more connected?

You can still create your own custom chats with your site team, training group, or favorite coworkers AB Pulse is your space to communicate the way that works best for you!

Employee Spotlight: Shana Bickford Fort Collins Colorado

While at our Laurel summer camp site in Fort Collins, CO, Site Director

Shana Bickford noticed a fire in one of the bathrooms and acted fast. She put it out before it could reach the ceiling or spread through the school.

Shana was awarded by the Poudre School District, the Poudre Fire Authority, and the local Police Department, who recognized her quick thinking and bravery.

We’re proud to have leaders like Shana on our team. Thank you for keeping our kids safe and calm in a critical moment!

🎬 AB Studios: Easy-to-Use Enrichment

Our partner, AB Studios, is back with fresh content to make enrichment easier than ever.

What You Can Expect:

Plug-and-play video lessons for enrichment blocks
Easy-to-use educator tools
Engaging topics from science to storytelling
Fun, fast-paced lessons designed to engage students long after the video ends

Learn more about AB Studios

Fall Training in Norman, Oklahoma Photo Credit: Area Manager Sara Lopez

Site Directors & Group Leaders:

We Want to Hear From You!

Fall training is officially underway, and your voice matters.

As a Site Director or Group Leader, you carry the weight of leadership, logistics, and creating a positive experience for your team and families every day—and we see that.

This year, we're doubling down on our commitment to support, grow, and empower you in that role. That starts with listening.

Take a moment to share your feedback so we can continue building training experiences that truly meet your needs.

Take Our Fall Training Survey

Job Openings

Explore new opportunities and find your next step toward professional growth.

View AlphaBEST Careers

This September. New Streams.

New Opportunities.

We’re rolling out new ways to learn, lead, and stay connected. From fresh content in AB Studios to updated tools in AB Pulse, this season is all about helping you grow and supporting the work you do every day.

Whether you're running a site, supporting a team, or stepping into something new, there’s something here for you.

Download AB Pulse for Apple or Android.

Email internalcomms@alphabest.org for your login credentials.

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