Alumni Newsletter - WGU Alumni Community - Western Governors ...

graduate spotlightsTamara AndrewsSomerville, OHioFor as far back as she can recall,Tamara Andrews says she wanted tofurther her education, but it just neverseemed to be the right time—her marriage,family, and job commitmentswere important too, and took priority.She already had a rewarding careeras a special education teacher. Thenher dad was diagnosed with leukemiaand she found the news “bittersweet,”for it prompted her to stop putting off“This has been one of thegreatest educationalexperiences of my life.”-WGU Alum, Tamara Andrewsher education to another day. She haswatched her father persevere withevery challenge put before him. “Iknew if my dad could meet the challengesof living with cancer, I couldmeet the challenge of returning toschool,” she recalls. She says she choseWestern Governors University becauseof its competency-based programs andflexibility—so she could take care ofher family and continue her career. Shealso liked being able to learn at herown pace, especially since she challengedherself to double the usual paceby completing the requirements of athree-year program in only a year anda half. She credits her WGU mentor forall the positive and patient guidance,support, and encouragement, whichhelped keep her going. Tamara graduatedin May 2011. “This has been oneof the greatest educational experiencesof my life,” she says enthusiastically.“The knowledge I gained through theMaster of Science in Educational LeadershipProgram has been phenomenal!....I now look at every aspect of mylife in a different light. The programempowered me, and provided me withthe skills necessary to be an effectiveschool leader.” Tamara has discoveredthat the skills she learned for herteaching career have carried over intoher personal life, and thanks her dadfor teaching her never to give up. Thatis one of the lessons she plans to sharewith future students. •Krista Gibsonsurprise, arizonaWhen she turned 18, Krista Gibson says she decided toexplore outside her California home town and threw adart at a map of the United States literally, and endedup in Bellingham, Washington. Since then, her adventureshave taken her on journeys that crisscrossed thecountry—from California to Alaska to Florida and toArizona—many due to her husband’s job relocationsover 17 years. The couple was even overseas in Praguefor a short time, wedged in a tiny apartment with theirthree young daughters, and Krista wondering how toprepare bird hearts for dinner. They now make theirhome in Surprise, Arizona, where Krista describes theiradventures as low key. Krista started out her WGUjourney in nursing, but elected to switch her studies toelementary education to better accommodate her threedaughters, who were all in gifted programs. Krista isnow involved with two associations for gifted children,started an alternative summer learning program, andruns a Girl Scout camp for 150 girls and their troopleaders. Krista says, “The best thing to do is laugh atthe challenge in front of you, put your head down andpush on through.” She graduated in July 2011 with aBachelor in Elementary Education degree. She thanksher mentor for the right supportive words that helpedher focus on finishing. Somewhere between Prague andArizona, Krista realized that she has come to love hernew career, stating,“I knew I wasgoing to be good atsomething besidesmotherhood. I knewmy challenges weredeveloping a journeyfor me that beganwith the realizationthat a career ineducation is whereI belonged.” Kristais even planning oncontinuing her educationby pursuing amaster’s degree. •8 | WGU Alumni Newsletter - summer 2011