Henson Family Award for Student Teachers Helps New Educators Launch Their Careers

Although Alice Henson of Stillwell, Kansas, never studied or taught at Westminster College, she certainly knows her way around a classroom. The longtime high school biology teacher, along with her husband, Donald, recently established the Henson Family Award for Student Teachers because of her sincere love of teaching.

The Hensons were already familiar with Westminster through their son, Gary Henson, ’88 ΒΘΠ, of Leawood, Kansas, who currently serves on the College’s Board of Trustees. Through additional contacts on campus, the couple was reminded that student teachers are hit with a variety of startup costs while launching their teaching careers.

That information struck a chord with Henson.

“Students on a strict budget might not have enough money for gas to drive to another town for student teaching, or they might need some professional-looking clothing or shoes to wear in the classroom,” Henson reflects. “When I taught, we were graded on whether our clothing was appropriate for the classroom.”

Inspired to give back, the Hensons set up an endowed annual fund with the Office of Institutional Advancement to help with everything from travel expenses to professional attire to hidden costs, such as required finger-printing and other background checks, which often include fees student teachers must pay out of pocket.

This fall, the new gift became a reality when the following Westminster students were selected as the first Henson Family Award recipients:

Avylina Powell-Qualo ’24
Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education Major
Student Teacher at the South Callaway Early Childhood Center
South Callaway R-II School District
Mokane, Missouri

Sophie Reimer ’25
Elementary Education Major
Student Teacher at Bartley Elementary School (Spring 2025)
Fulton Public School District
Fulton, Missouri

Adisyn Stalzer ’26
Elementary Education Major
Student Teacher at Columbian Elementary School
Omaha Public School District
Omaha, Nebraska

Today, Henson is pleased all three Westminster student teachers are well on their way to joining the profession to which she devoted her lifetime.

“We hope that this stipend for student teachers will be a blessing to those who receive it, and we wish them success in their endeavors,” says Henson, who taught for decades in Jefferson City, Missouri. “It is important for those who have been blessed to give back. You can’t take it with you, as they say, and we encourage other families to do the same.”

For more information on Westminster’s education program, please contact [email protected]. To learn more about how to establish an endowed annual award at the College, please contact [email protected].