Our Employee of the Month is Destanee Hanks from Ventura, California!
Destanee embodies what it means to be a role model and a leader. She has an enormous heart and inspires everyone around her. We feel incredibly fortunate to have her with us, and we genuinely value all the hard work and dedication she puts into her role at Apollo.
Destanee, thank you for being such an outstanding employee and teacher.
To show our appreciation for your dedication and hard work – please check your email this week for a special gift from us.
Check out our interview with Destanee below:
- Who are you, where do you come from, where are you going?
My name is Destanee, I just turned 35, and I was lucky enough to be born and raised in Ventura, California. I describe myself as a silly D&D nerd who’s passionate about community and building a better world for future generations. As for where I’m going, well, hopefully one day I’ll publish an epic fantasy book full of dragons, adventure, and inspiring stories of hope and perseverance.
- How long have you been teaching with Apollo?
I started working for Apollo at the beginning of the 23/24 school year, and we’re approaching the end of my third full school year and my first year as the assistant site director.
- What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned since you started teaching?
It’s so hard to just pick one thing, but… radical self-acceptance is something I’ve learned from the kids I work with, be it my silly, awkward personality, or my freckles. Every compliment I get from one of them is so genuine and pure, and if they think I’m awesome? Well, I must be awesome, because these kids are brutally honest lol
- How do you motivate your students to succeed?
I have this strategy that’s basically, a combination of being the biggest hype man and cheerleader you’ll ever meet and holding them accountable for their actions. I make boundaries and expectations clear, but I also go out of my way to hype them up. Every piece of art, every interest, every hobby, I ask them about it, I encourage them to tell me everything and try to support them every way I can. I get a lot of inspiration for our clubs from these conversations, too!
- If you could have any superpower, what would it be?
Oh, definitely teleportation. I’d save a lot on gas money!
- What is your most memorable memory from your time as an Apollo instructor?
There have been so many amazing moments the last three school years, it’s honestly so hard to narrow it down. But, during one of my D&D games this year two of the girls showed up in full cosplay, dressed up as their characters, fluffy tail and all. I maybe cried a little, it was really cute.
- If you could retire tomorrow and never have to worry about money again, what would you do with your time?
Come back to work on Monday, and let me tell you, prize box would be next level. I mean that, too. This kind of job isn’t just for money; it feeds my soul. Plus, what’s the point of being rich if you can’t do what you love?
- What’s your go-to technique for dealing with ‘handful students’?
It’s situational. But, usually, distraction. Giving them something to focus that energy on goes a long way, especially if it’s something silly that I can engage with them. I am known to chase kids around the playground pretending to be a monster that wants to eat their hair, lol.
- What is an unusual place you have been to?
Last summer I stayed with my best friend in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. We went on this day trip to the most breathtaking island off the coast. It’s called Islas Marietas, specifically Playa del Amor, in English, they called it The Hidden Beach. It’s an open-air cave beach; it was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen, created by volcanic activity and then later widened by a bombing. I highly recommend visiting if you get the chance. And take way more pictures than I did!!
- Do you have a talent that not many people know about?
Nope. I’m a strong believer in acknowledging the things you’re good at and taking pride in them.
- What’s your #1 teaching tip?
As simple and obvious as it is, Listen. Observe. Always have those ears open and eyes moving, you’ll be surprised the trouble you can stop before it even happens just by walking by at the right time while actively listening!
- What’s your favorite classroom Attention Getter?
123, eyes on me. It’s just a classic, and they all know it so well from school during the day. I’m also a big fan of the quiet coyote hand signal.
- What is something interesting that you’re involved in, outside of Apollo After School?
I have been DM’ing the same D&D campaign since 2020 with people from all over the world in it. Scheduling is always the hardest battle, though.
- How do you spend your summer breaks?
My best friend is a bit of a country hopper, so I tend to go wherever she happens to be! But, this year, I’m spending it hanging out with my very little brother, who’s only five months old. Yeah, a big age difference, but he’s so cute!
- Star Wars, Star Trek, or they’re both lame?
Uh, Lord of the Rings, all day, every day! They don’t even have dragons in space!
- What do you like most about working with Apollo?
So many things. Obviously, the kids. And the school our site is located at has this beautiful sense of community around it that I adore. When it comes to the company, I adore the fact that we’re encouraged to bring our passions to work and share them with the kids. My D&D club is so much fun, watching them fall in love with the storytelling, how they work together to solve problems, and learn the rules better than me? It’s so fulfilling and inspiring, and I love that Apollo has allowed me the opportunity to share what I love with a new generation.
