As a Fairfax County elementary school teacher, Dolin worked in both special and general education classrooms. When she left the classroom in 1998 after her first child was born, she found inspiration in working individually with students as a tutor. Some parents of players on the youth basketball team she was involved with approached her about tutoring their children. Word-of-mouth recommendations expanded her clientele to where she was working seven days a week and sometimes until ten at night. Following the suggestion of a former teaching colleague, Ann incorporated her business. Currently, her company, Educational Connections, Inc. employs 100 tutors and serves about 300 students, according to a July 31, 2008 article published online by The Baltimore Business Journal.

Ann’s dedication to individualized instruction remains at the heart of her business. She frequently gives presentations to school and parent groups about accommodating different learning styles and calming homework stress. Noticing that most of her clients struggle with organization and time management issues, Ann created and recently patented and trademarked an organizational methodology tutors can use with their clients. Her passion yields results. “One-to-one instruction can make such a difference to a child,” she says, “The feedback we get from parents is ‘You’ve given me my child back.’”

Family support tends her passion. She has two bright-eyed, happy and independent sons who are actively engaged in schoolwork, soccer and the occasional video game. Her husband’s unwavering support has been integral to her success. He has always encouraged her to do what she needs to do to make the business thrive. Like most busy parents, Dolin finds that pulling away from work can be difficult, but she finds balance by segmenting her time, dedicating the morning to work and the afternoon to her kids.

Parting words linger long after the speaker has left. From George Washington to Lou Gehrig to Rhett Butler, people sometimes reveal the most about themselves as they are about to leave. As Ann was finishing her interview, she said she believed that a parent’s goal is to raise kids who feel comfortable in pursuing what they love. “When you’re working at what you love, there’s no drudgery, only passion.”

What are the three qualities you find in a modern mom? Independent, flexible, compassionate
What qualities do you most like in other moms? Sincere, motivated, outgoing
When and where are you your happiest? Reading with my boys right before bedtime.
Your most treasured possession. My boys’ scrapbooks from birth to 1 year. I just finished them last year and my kids are now 6 and 10.
One favorite holiday tradition. Spending New Year’s Eve at a hotel in DC and then getting up early the next morning to visit the Smithsonian museums. They’re empty, so we’re able to get up close to the Declaration of Independence, The Constitution and other documents at the National Archives. It’s the best time to visit the Museums.
What is it that you most dislike in other moms? The “keep up with the Joneses” mentality
Biggest accomplishment. Growing my business from the kitchen table to employing over 100 tutors.
Biggest challenge you had to overcome. Learning to work “on” my business, not “in” my business. One thing your children would say about you? “She’s the best mom in the world.” I just asked my oldest and no, I didn’t pay him!

One thing your own mother would say about you? I know she’s proud of me, especially now that I have found a better balance between work and home life over the last few years.

A few of her favorite things:

Favorite holiday dish: Anything my husband cooks, because I don’t!
Store: Black House White Market, without a doubt!
Restaurant:  Capital Grille in Tyson’s.
Spa: Sesen Spa in Vienna
Hairdresser: Nikki at PR at Partners in Oakton
Vacation spot: The One and Only resort in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Date spot: A quiet dinner with my husband, place doesn’t matter.
Family outing: Our annual family vacation to Key Biscayne, Florida

b y J E S S A M Y N A Y E R S
photog raphs b y mic hael vonal