Vesta Jones, Whitefield Academy’s Lower School counselor, recently received the 2012 Distinguished Alumnus Award from Georgia State University. The award is given annually to the College of Education alumnus who has brought credit to Georgia State University through a distinguished educational career and extensive contributions to the community.
Jones received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Georgia in 1971 and earned two master’s degrees from Georgia State University’s College of Education: a master’s degree in early childhood education in 1973, and a master’s degree in school counseling in 1992. Her career in education began in 1971, when she served as a pre-first grade teacher at The Westminster Schools for three years. She also worked as a librarian and storyteller at The Trinity School and a guidance counselor at Mount Vernon Christian Academy.
In 1997 Jones and her husband, David, became intricately involved the establishment of Whitefield Academy. She began working as the director of guidance at Whitefield Academy and served in that capacity until 2007, guiding numerous Upper School students through the college application process and helping them to find higher learning institutions which fit their academic, athletic, spiritual, and personal needs. Today she continues her work at Whitefield Academy as the Lower School counselor.
Jones has worked with several educational organizations including the Georgia School Counselors Association, the Southern Regional and National College Board, the Atlanta Area Association of Independent Schools Counselors, and Georgia Initiatives.
In addition to her academic pursuits Jones works as an independent consultant and area manager for Arbonne International. She has done extensive volunteer work in the Atlanta area, serving as an education committee member at Whitefield Academy and a Sunday school teacher at Christchurch Presbyterian. Jones also volunteers at the Edna Wardlaw Women’s Shelter and tutors children with learning disabilities at two neighborhood public schools through the Junior League of Atlanta. Jones is a board member for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Cheerleading, which honored her in 2010 with the Tom Landry Award. She is also a member of the Greater Atlanta Alpha Delta Pi Sorority Alumni Association.
Jones received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Georgia in 1971 and earned two master’s degrees from Georgia State University’s College of Education: a master’s degree in early childhood education in 1973, and a master’s degree in school counseling in 1992. Her career in education began in 1971, when she served as a pre-first grade teacher at The Westminster Schools for three years. She also worked as a librarian and storyteller at The Trinity School and a guidance counselor at Mount Vernon Christian Academy.
In 1997 Jones and her husband, David, became intricately involved the establishment of Whitefield Academy. She began working as the director of guidance at Whitefield Academy and served in that capacity until 2007, guiding numerous Upper School students through the college application process and helping them to find higher learning institutions which fit their academic, athletic, spiritual, and personal needs. Today she continues her work at Whitefield Academy as the Lower School counselor.
Jones has worked with several educational organizations including the Georgia School Counselors Association, the Southern Regional and National College Board, the Atlanta Area Association of Independent Schools Counselors, and Georgia Initiatives.
In addition to her academic pursuits Jones works as an independent consultant and area manager for Arbonne International. She has done extensive volunteer work in the Atlanta area, serving as an education committee member at Whitefield Academy and a Sunday school teacher at Christchurch Presbyterian. Jones also volunteers at the Edna Wardlaw Women’s Shelter and tutors children with learning disabilities at two neighborhood public schools through the Junior League of Atlanta. Jones is a board member for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Cheerleading, which honored her in 2010 with the Tom Landry Award. She is also a member of the Greater Atlanta Alpha Delta Pi Sorority Alumni Association.