About Us

We chose a BRAINATION school because we were looking for a different type of education for our kids. The environment allows kids to interact and support each other as a community and fosters relationships. Anne Frank Inspire Academy is not simply another school; it is a community.

We are a nation of learners and innovators. The greatness of our communities resides in our families—our children—in unleashing their vast potential through the power of learning and through the power of a great education. That is our legacy. And this is our future: to reimagine and transform global learning.

Our Vision

To reimagine and transform global learning.

Our Mission

We increase the capacity for learning by inspiring every student to belong, find joy, and be great.

Inspiring Every Student to Belong, Find Joy, and Be Great

For over twenty years, we have grown and evolved into a powerful network of schools, a network dedicated to increasing the capacity for human greatness in our students, in partnering organizations, and in communities.

BRAINATION is at the forefront of innovative facilitating and learning methods. We have redefined traditional approaches to education and are becoming a leader in world-class learning—helping students become expert learners and leaders, encouraging students to lead principle-centered lives, and inspiring students to belong, find joy, and be great.

Partner With Us

We have designed and operated schools in every environment imaginable. Organizations ranging from the federal government to private youth organizations to local independent school districts have trusted us to care for thousands of their students.

Contact our leadership today to see how we can partner with your organization to fulfill your mission and provide expert educational care for every student, in every environment.

Leadership

Jennifer Rower

Jennifer Rower

Chief Executive Officer

P: (210) 638-5012

Justin Johnston

Justin Johnston

Superintendent

P: (210) 638-5029

Jennifer Swisher

Jennifer Swisher

Chief Operating Officer

P: (210) 638-5016

Alethea Phillips

Alethea Phillips

Chief Compliance Officer

Governing Board Members

Otis "Scotty" Scott, Jr.

President

Dr. Alan Holden , Ph.D.

Vice President

Shelley McCulloch

Treasurer

Josephine Hurtado

Secretary

Steph West

Member

Transforming education in any environment

Public Schools

Early Childhood

Foster Homes

Juvenile Detention

Mental Health

Recovery

Impact

Students Served Since 1998
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Students Served in 2023–2024
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About Jennifer Rower

Jennifer Rower was recently promoted to chief executive officer of BRAINATION, Inc. Ms. Rower has over 19 years of executive leadership experience in a nonprofit setting, including 15 years as a charter school district administrator. She holds a bachelor of business administration degree and a master’s of public administration from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Ms. Rower is a Texas certified superintendent and national SHRM-SCP. She is a past president of the San Antonio Human Resource Management Association and former state director of Texas SHRM. She is active in the charter school community and in the local San Antonio community. Some of her favorite podcasts include Better Leaders Better Schools, Blanchard LeaderChat, and Lead from the Heart with Mark C. Crowley.

About Justin Johnston

Justin Johnston holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Stephen F. Austin State University and is currently completing his doctorate at the University of Houston. Mr. Johnston has 12 years of experience as campus administrator of several ISD campuses, three years as Head of Schools at Anne Frank Inspire Academy, and completing his first year as district assistant superintendent. He enjoys spending time with his wife of 17 years, Jessica, and his son and AFIA student, Rhett.

About Jennifer Swisher

Jennifer Swisher has been in the field of Human Resources for over 21 years. She currently serves as the chief human resources officer for BRAINATION, Inc. Jennifer received her bachelor of business administration degree in HR management from the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) in 2000 and is currently enrolled in the UTSA MBA program. Her certifications include the SPHR and SHRM-SCP, and she is a Five Behaviors of a Cohesive Team™ accredited facilitator. Her experience spans various industries, including education, healthcare, and manufacturing. She is considered an expert in her field with extensive knowledge in recruitment, employee relations, payroll and benefits administration, compensation, and training and development. She has been instrumental in the organizational design of human resource departments and has extensive experience creating policies and procedures and creating positive work environments.

Jennifer spent her career giving back to the HR community through her volunteer roles with the San Antonio Human Resource Association and the Texas SHRM State Council. She is an active member of the San Antonio Human Resource Management Association and served on the board of directors from 2006 through 2012, serving as president in 2009 and 2010. She served on the board of directors for Texas SHRM from 2013 through 2020.

About Alethea Phillips

Alethea Phillips, Chief Compliance Officer, began her career in 2000 as a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology, supporting traditional ISDs. In 2008, she was appointed Director of Special Education for Inspire Academies. Alethea has also shared her expertise as adjunct faculty at Our Lady of the Lake University, mentoring both undergraduate and graduate students. Additionally, she has provided Special Education training for aspiring educators through the Teacher Orientation and Preparation Program (TOPP) at Region 20 Education Service Center. Throughout her career, Alethea has embraced numerous leadership roles, including participating in stakeholder groups for the Texas Education Agency and serving on the board of the Alamo Area Council of Administrators of Special Education (AACASE). She is also proud to have contributed to her community as a board member for Laurel Heights United Methodist Church Weekday Day School.

About Otis Scott, Jr.

Otis L. Scott, Jr. recently joined the board in 2019 where he serves as board president. He proudly served in the United States Air Force for 24 years. His performance and achievements resulted in his selection as the Senior Enlisted Advisor (SEA) and Command Chief for the Air Force District of Washington serving over 30,000 individuals worldwide. He holds a bachelor of science degree in management from National Louis University and earned a dual master of arts degree in human resource development and management from Webster University. He has lectured at a variety of military institutions and agencies, institutes of higher learning, and professional organizations. Scott has championed causes to develop financial support for college-bound students. He has provided career counseling to over 2,500 students. His leadership roles in the community include president of the San Antonio Advisory Board of the Texas Diversity Council, president of the 10th Security Police Association, president of SAHRMA, and board of directors for City Year. He retired at the end of 2019 from University of San Antonio as the assistant director of career services, employer relations.

About Alan Holden

Dr. Alan Holden joined the board in 2018 where he serves as board vice president. Dr. Holden attended Kutztown State University of Pennsylvania and Temple University earning a bachelor’s and master’s of anthropology. He went on to earn his doctorate in community health sciences at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Public Health. Dr. Holden’s field experience includes research methods of psychology, etiology, and epidemiology of health disparities among children. He holds areas of expertise in psychology of health and medicine, behavioral science/health promotion/patient navigation, statistics and research design. His past appointments included serving as adjunct professor for Trinity University and as of present serves as adjunct associate professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

About Shelley McCulloch

Shelley joined the board in 2021. She is a CPA, a certified internal auditor, and a chartered global management accountant, among other certifications. Currently, she is a high-performance results coach, a financial consultant, and a financial coach. Shelley also is a trainer of advanced integrative psychology. She graduated from Texas Lutheran University with a bachelor of arts in business administration with a concentration in accounting. Her volunteer experience through the San Antonio CPA Society is extensive. She served in multiple roles to include chair of the financial literacy committee, program coordinator/lead instructor for SAMMinistries money management courses, and public speaker. Shelly’s volunteerism also extended to being a financial coach for Solutions That Equip People for Success (STEPS) program. She is working on publishing a book.

About Josephine Hurtado

Josephine joined the board in 2022 after a 30-year career in engineering and construction management. Her work history includes extensive experience in estimate development, project operations, and talent management for power generation and industrial projects in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Colombia. She started as a project construction representative and subsequently served in various corporate executive positions as vice-president. She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a bachelor of science in civil engineering and a master of science in engineering. Her past leadership roles in the community include member of the executive committee of the World Affairs Council, the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and board member of the San Antonio Council on Drug and Alcohol Awareness. She currently supports the implementation of the Chamber’s Leadership Programs and, as a STEM education advocate, works with academic institutions to grow and enhance their programs.

About Steph West

Steph joined the board in 2021. She is a behavior specialist, social skills strategist, professional development presenter, curriculum creator, and neurodiverse advocate. She has specialist certifications in autism, behavior, traumatic brain injury, and transition services. In addition to her behavior specialist experience, Steph has public school campus administration experience. Steph earned her bachelor of arts in psychology. Later she would attend the University of North Texas, where she obtained a master of education in education administration and a master of education in special education. She is the founder and director of the Starfish Social Club.