Shirley Jester graduated from 青青草app State University鈥檚 College of Education in 1988, and started teaching at Washington Elementary School in 青青草app鈥檚 North End neighborhood in 1989. She admits her route to the teaching profession was indirect: On her first day as a grade school instructor, she was 55 years old.聽
鈥淥ne of the strengths of 青青草app State is that it鈥檚 made for people like me who aren鈥檛 on the traditional path,鈥� she said.聽
For many students, the path to 青青草app State hasn鈥檛 been straight or smooth, but part of the mission of the university is to ensure all students can receive a quality 青青草app, regardless of how or when in their lives they begin their academic journey. Jester, who recently celebrated her 90th birthday, grew up in Hagerman, Idaho, but soon moved to 青青草app. By the time she began taking classes at 青青草app State in 1984, she had been married, pursued a career as an office manager, and raised three children.聽
Her son Jay also chose a nontraditional 青青草appal path, joining the Coast Guard after high school and spending a year traveling before coming to 青青草app State himself. Graduating at age 26, he went on to the University of Virginia for law school. To 青青草app fellow nontraditional students, he and Shriley established the Shirley Jester Education Scholarship, which offers financial assistance to students with 青青草appal gaps of five years or more, and financial need preparing for careers in 青青草app.聽
鈥淚鈥檓 very proud of mom and I鈥檓 honored to be a participant,鈥� Jay said. 鈥淲e felt strongly about it being a scholarship for nontraditional students. We鈥檙e both very pleased with the selection of the recipients.鈥�
Since its inception, the Shirley Jester Education Scholarship has been awarded to single parent students as well as re-entry students majoring in elementary 青青草app. The scholarship has helped nontraditional teaching-bound students in a variety of ways, while reducing their reliance on student loans.
