“You’re not college material.” 23 years later, the two-time WKU graduate has spent his career mentoring students
By Rose Rementer
As the eighth of nine children, Delvagus Jackson (’94, ’01) didn’t hear much about college during his growing-up years. In fact, the Morganfield, Ky., native was the first in his family to graduate from college, even after being told numerous times that college wasn’t for him.
“For so many years prior to enrolling at WKU, college never was introduced as an option,” explained Jackson. “I was told a few times, in so many words along the way, that I just wasn’t college material. I was grateful to have been accepted into WKU.”
Once on the Hill, Jackson faced more struggle when it came to choosing his career path. He always had a passion for helping others and found himself helping his peers with their math homework at WKU. “Early on, I didn’t think that I would qualify for the WKU Education program,” Jackson explained. “I was encouraged by a friend to seek this career path, and my career in education now spans 23 years.”
Jackson said his time at WKU was filled with support from many people, and it’s something that fills him with gratitude. “I found numerous support systems along the way from a variety of sources in the Mathematics, Economics, Residence Life and Teacher Education departments,” Jackson added. “Angels come in a variety of forms, and WKU has plenty of angels looking out for their students.”
Jackson left home at 17-years-old and never returned to live under his parents’ roof. “While attending WKU, I learned how to prioritize, make sacrifices and how to be truly independent,” Jackson expressed.
In 1995, after he received his bachelor’s degree, he was hired to teach math and physics at Union County High School in his hometown of Morganfield. In 1996, Jackson moved to Warren Central High School to teach math. In 2003, he was hired on as Assistant Principal at Simpson County Middle School, and one year later he became Assistant Principal at Bowling Green Junior High School. In 2015, he was named interim Principal at Parker-Bennett-Curry (PBC) Elementary School and officially took on the permanent role as Principal in 2016.
At PBC, Jackson and Danny Carothers, a local community leader, identified a need for character education for the young male students. “I don’t want to say that character education is not being taught in households today,” Jackson was quick to note. “That would be making a strong assumption. However, it’s in our best interest to support and mold proper behaviors in all of our students.”
That’s how the programs “Boys to Men” and “Girls with Pearls” came about. Every Friday, PBC students who achieved weekly goals for good behavior are able to dress for success with a tie or strand of pearls. To supplement the program, school officials also host a variety of other events in which mentors from throughout the community visit PBC to share an assortment of career options with the students. “We want our students to see the many career options that are available in hopes that they will strive to achieve any career of their interest,” Jackson stated.
It’s a team effort, with various teachers, staff, volunteers and mentors involved. Members of the WKU Football team and Phi Alpha Phi Fraternity show up on Fridays to help support the programs. “I take pride that we have something extracurricular going for our students,” said Jackson. “I take extra pride that we have programs for both our boys and girls. I love the support that we have received from our community, and I greatly appreciate the sacrifices made by our staff to bring this about. We simply do these programs because we love our kids. We are trying to support their needs and support our community.”
Look for the larger story on the impact that the “Boys to Men” and “Girls with Pearls” programs are having on students in an upcoming issue of the WKU SPIRIT magazine.