Albion Center Scholarship Empowers Idaho Teacher to Serve Learners with Unique Needs

Education has always been a core value for Jose Alferes, a third grade dual immersion teacher at Driggs Elementary School in Driggs, Idaho. 

“My mom always told me that she wouldn’t be able to leave me much money or property,” said Alferes. “But she said the best inheritance she could give me was an education. That’s how the value of education was instilled in me, and now I want to give that same gift my mother gave me to others.”

With the support of the Albion Center Scholarship for Educator Excellence, Alferes is now pursuing a Master of Education in Special Education at Idaho State University to gain the skills needed to better support students with diverse learning needs.

“I realized that I lacked the necessary skills to effectively support students with special needs,” said Alferes. “Through this program, I hope to learn different approaches that will help me create lessons that meet the needs of all students.”

Receiving the Albion Center Scholarship has been pivotal in making graduate studies possible for Alferes. He hopes to share what he learns with his colleagues in the Teton School District and, eventually, with educators across Idaho.

“Without this scholarship, it would be nearly impossible for me to afford tuition,” he said. “This scholarship not only eases the financial burden but also allows me to focus on becoming a more effective and well-prepared educator. It means the world to me to be able to serve families in my community with greater understanding, compassion, and expertise.”

Alferes expressed gratitude to his school leaders for encouraging him to pursue this scholarship and for introducing him to the Albion Center, where he has taken several professional development courses.

“The Albion Center courses are thoughtfully designed for professionals in the field and have a strong reputation within my school district,” he said. “This combination of flexibility, relevance, and credibility made it an ideal choice for my continued professional development.”

The Albion Center Scholarship for Educator Excellence will provide Alferes with up to $4,000 per semester, with a lifetime maximum of $16,000—helping him save nearly 70% on graduate tuition.