Got Skills?
Practice communication, teamwork, confidence, and professionalism for school, work, and everyday life.
Explore skills workshopsYOUR FUTURE HAS POSSIBILITIES.
Dream boldly.
Build your future.
Building skills. Activating confidence. Developing leaders.
Soft-skills training, workforce readiness, leadership development, and scholarship strategies help high school students grow today and prepare for tomorrow.
FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS • IN PERSON + ONLINE
IT’S TIME TO
DREAM OUT LOUD.
SPONSORED ONLINE ENROLLMENT • GRADES 9–12
25 TUITION-FREE SPOTSGo Get That Money!
Tuition-free online course.
High school families: learn scholarship search and writing strategies with our self-paced online course for grades 9–12. Apply below for sponsored enrollment.
- Free workbook included
- LIVE Zoom Strategy Sessions
- 100% online learning
- Certificate of completion
$147 course value. Sponsored tuition at no cost to selected students.
Apply to QualifyStudents must meet eligibility requirements and be selected for this sponsored opportunity. Spaces are limited. Applying does not guarantee enrollment. This offer covers course tuition; it is not a cash scholarship award.
WE PUSH TEENS TOWARD THEIR DREAMS™
Potential is the beginning.
Preparation is the path.
Our Mission
Dream Pusher Academy is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing high school students with soft-skills training, workforce readiness, leadership development, and postsecondary scholarship strategies.
We partner with schools, families, and communities to help teens build confidence, strengthen communication and life skills, and put leadership into action today. Our vision: students who are confident in their voice, clear about their path, and prepared to succeed.
Bring DPA to your communityDreams supported.
Possibilities expanded.
Proud of the impact. Grateful for every dream pusher.
When we support a teen, we support a family. Together, we’re creating access to confidence, skills, and opportunity.
- 750+
- High school teens served, with support extended to their familiesSeptember 2022–present
- 56
- Students awarded tuition-free enrollment in our online Scholarship Writing Course through sponsorship and corporate givingCourse launched summer 2026
- 150
- Parents participated in Parent Talks group coachingSessions launched spring 2025One part of our broader support for families
- $121K
- Estimated value of services, products, and resources provided at no cost to students and familiesSeptember 2022–present
- 3,180
- Recorded volunteer hours contributed by community and corporate volunteersSeptember 2022–present
DPA-reported cumulative impact, September 2022–present. The $121,000 estimated value of services, products, and resources is separate from volunteer hours. The online course launched in summer 2026. Its participants are not counted as additional to the 750+ teens served.
WELCOME TO DREAM PUSHER ACADEMY
What brings you here?
A clear starting point for every dream pusher.
01 / STUDENTS
I’m ready for my next step.
Explore programs, build skills, and find scholarship support.
Find my next step 02 / PARENTS & GUARDIANSI want to support my teen.
Understand the options and find the details your family needs.
Start here for families 03 / DONORSI want to push a dream.
See the work and explore ways to support teen opportunities.
See ways to give 04 / SCHOOLS & PARTNERSI want to work with DPA.
Host, sponsor, share expertise, or help students explore careers.
Explore a partnershipFOUR WAYS TO BUILD A STRONGER FUTURE
Skills for today.
Possibilities for tomorrow.
See yourself leading.
Discover She’s T.H.A.T. Girl and Confidence Conversations & Cupcakes RealTalk—our two programs for girls.
Explore girls’ programs & tripFun to Funds
Turn ideas into action through hands-on business exploration, product creation, and money skills.
Explore entrepreneurshipGo Get That Money!
Build scholarship search and essay-writing skills. Apply for one of 25 sponsored online course spots, with a free workbook and LIVE Zoom Strategy Sessions.
View tuition-free course details
A DREAMER. AN OPPORTUNITY. A NEXT STEP.
Meet Helen.
Celebrate what’s possible.
Helen Alvarez, a senior at North Forney High, is DPA’s 2026–2027 Intern-Scholarship recipient and Young Scholar Ambassador/Intern.
Her award supports preparation for future leaders, entrepreneurs, administrative professionals, and public speakers through L.E.A.P. with TOP SKILLS.
This is one way DPA connects young people with opportunities to learn and lead. Your support helps make more teen opportunities possible.
Meet Helen & the DPA team
EVERY DREAM NEEDS A DREAM PUSHER
Help another teen build confidence, skills, and opportunity.
Your gift supports soft-skills and workforce training, leadership experiences, scholarship coaching, and learning resources. Help DPA keep meaningful opportunities within reach for teens and families.
Give to Dream Pusher AcademyDream Pusher Academy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
Sponsor learning.
Help expand access to workshops, coaching, and sponsored online enrollment.
View sponsorship detailsOpen new possibilities.
Help make the planned She’s T.H.A.T. Girl exposure trip possible.
Explore trip sponsorshipShare your strengths.
Partner with DPA or donate laptops and technology for AI Tech workshops.
Explore a partnership2026 Candid Silver Seal of TransparencyForney Chamber of Commerce memberView transparency & community partners
FOR PARENTS & GUARDIANS
You don’t have to figure
out the next step alone.
Choose a goal with your teen, explore a program, and ask our team about the details. We support families as well as students.
Parent Talks
A community for parents of teens ages 13–18. Connect through coaching sessions and explore academic, college, and career resources.
Join Parent TalksView Parent Talks flyer & family FAQs
JERONDA MARKS FOUNDER & CEO • “COACH J”
MEET THE DREAM PUSHER BEHIND THE MISSION
Confidence Isn't Given—It’s Activated.
Jeronda Marks is a speaker, author, learning and development leader, and the visionary founder behind Dream Pusher Academy.
She’s a transformational leader called to...
INSPIREEDUCATEINNOVATEEMPOWERENRICH
“Every teen carries a dream. Inspiration sparks it. Education prepares it. Innovation elevates it. Empowerment activates it. Enrichment shares it. My mission through transformational learning is simple: to help teens believe in themselves and step confidently into their purpose.”
— Coach J
REAL MOMENTS. DREAMS IN MOTION.
Dream Pusher Academy
in action.
Ideas on the board. Hands-on learning. Students sharing, creating, and growing together. Explore DPA in action.
GO GET THAT MONEY!
Your scholarship search
starts here.
Explore DPA’s guide, national search tools, and Texas and career-pathway funding. Find options that fit your goals, then check each provider’s eligibility and deadlines.
Watch out for scholarship scams. Never pay money to apply for scholarships.
FAMILIES. SCHOOLS. COMMUNITIES. YOU.
Every dream needs
a dream pusher.
Help create the spaces, encouragement, and opportunities teens need to take their next step.
Help push a dreamer