By Cindy Adams

Jason recognized Shelby the moment she walked into the room, but something had shifted. Gone was the uncertain college student. In her place stood a confident professional, poised and self-assured. He used to grade her work; now, they are equals at enCircle. For Dr. Sawyer, it was a proud moment.  

Jason Sawyer, Director of Advocacy and Government Relations, and Shelby DesChamps, a Case Manager in Treatment Foster Care, met at Norfolk State University where Jason held his first faculty position as an assistant professor and Shelby was studying as an undergrad social work major. He was her professor and remembers her as curious, proactive and always armed with detailed questions, and a sharp, inquisitive mind. She remembers him as likeable, energetic and impossible to ignore in a classroom he built on active participation. Neither imagined they'd one day work side by side, advocating for children and families in the foster care system. 

"No one thinks they're going to end up working with their professor," Shelby said. "It's crazy to think the person who taught you is now collaborating with you. I guess we can both teach each other something." 

Shelby has been with enCircle for a little over a year, Jason just under a year. She's quick to acknowledge that advocacy, which is Jason's expertise, isn't her strongest area and she continues to learn from her former professor. But Jason speaks about Shelby's courage and the remarkable skill set she exhibits in her own role. 

"When I see the depth and thoughtfulness she brings to her work, it's hard for me not to take credit for doing my job as a professor," Jason said, smiling. 

For Shelby, having Jason as a colleague means she feels safe asking professional development questions. She already knows the answer won't come with judgment, only encouragement to dig deeper. And that’s how she will grow. 

In the classroom, Jason's primary goal was always for students to know he cared about them and what they learned. He believed that once that trust was established, they'd open their ears. From his own complex educational journey, he understood how much the learning environment mattered. He wanted his students to relax, lean in, and trust the process. 

Now, he's bringing that same philosophy to enCircle, teaching advocacy techniques across program teams and engaging them in an area that doesn’t always come naturally.  

"It's not about having the right answers," he said. "It's about asking the right questions." 

The questions are no longer about coursework, but about real-world systems, policies and legislators who affect change for those enCircle serves. This kind of advocacy may require new skills, but growth in the workplace comes from the same foundation as the classroom: curiosity, trust, and the belief that learning never stops. School may end, but the lessons continue.