Elena Stidham decided to join JAG at Whiteland Community High School in 2016 because of the financial incentives. She did not have a job or steady source of income at the time, so was hoping to find some support in JAG. However, what she ultimately gained was a lifetime of connections and a career.
“So I was (thinking) great, I have an opportunity to make a little bit of money that I could save up for something. That is what initially brought me in because I felt confident about my college and career choice at that point, but I ended up learning a lot more than I thought I knew,” Stidham said.
Prior to joining JAG, Stidham knew she wanted to attend college for journalism. She was admitted into Ball State University’s program, but realized in JAG there was more to college than just applications and admission.
“However, there were a lot of other things about college that I wasn’t really aware of, like financial aid. I didn’t know how to work around that. I didn’t know how to basically just get my way around campus,” Stidham said. “You hear about dorm life and you kind of imagine what your dorm is going to look like. Until you’re actually there, you don’t know how to live campus life until you’re actually living it. (JAG) gave me better insight.”
Whiteland Community High School’s JAG Specialist Elizabeth Moffett planned programming around college and career readiness. She hosted a guest speaker who had studied abroad to discuss those opportunities to JAG students. This experience introduced study abroad programs to Stidham, which inspired her to study in Japan in college.
“I didn’t know you could do that in college and that was awesome. I learned the meat and potatoes of college (in JAG) rather than just how to get in it,” Stidham said.
Stidham graduated from Ball State University with a degree in journalism in 2020. She worked at Fox59 News in Indianapolis after graduation, but soon realized it was not the career path she wanted.
“It was one of those things where I thought I liked it at the time and it seemed like a good fit at the time. As I got older and was actually working in the field, the more (I thought), ‘No this isn’t right,’” Stidham said.
She left journalism in 2022, to work as a part-time substitute teacher for JAG programs in Region 12. She was a substitute at Indianapolis Public Schools, Decatur Central High School, and Ben Davis.
“I started in Region 12 as a substitute part-time, working under (JAG Manager) Elizabeth Vea-Smith. At the time she didn’t have a full time position open for me, so that was fine. I (felt) perfectly happy doing part time until we can get something. Eventually I moved up to a full time substitute and she told me that there was an opening in Avon,” Stidham said.
In winter of 2022, Stidham applied for the opening for JAG Specialist at Avon High School in Region 5. The application process included JAG staff, as well as Avon students, evaluating her resume and interviewing her.
“They called me in for the interview, which I was just a bundle of nerves. Normally in my interviews I am very calm and I don’t feel scared [. . .] A part of me always knew that the job was temporary, but with this one I knew it was supposed to be a forever job. I wanted to make sure that I did perfect,” Stidham said.
Shortly after her interview, Stidham was substituting at Arsenal Technical High School and received a call that she was hired as the next JAG Specialist at Avon High School. She started in March.
“It felt like coming home,” Stidham said.
Throughout her time as a Specialist, she has stayed motivated because of her students. Avon’s program is heavily supported within the JAG classroom and by Avon staff, making Stidham feel more comfortable in her transition.
“It’s amazing. I am just over the moon. I wish I could just teach seven periods of JAG. I would be thrilled, but I understand why they can’t. The kids are absolutely what gets me going [ . . .] I am always thinking about how to be better for them. I love it,” Stidham said.
Stidham’s experience as a JAG student at Whiteland Community High School has further influenced her teaching style as a Specialist at Avon High School. Stidham’s biggest JAG mentor was Moffett, whom Stidham still uses as a resource. Stidham wants to remind the JAG community of the network JAG provides well past high school graduation.
“You will forever have resources and people in your corner when you need it. I always tell my kids, even if you feel like you don’t have someone, I am right here, you have someone (. . .) It is just a matter of knowing that you have these resources, knowing that you have these people, knowing that you have help. It just makes a world of difference,” Stidham said.
Being both a student and Specialist, Stidham has lived both ends of the JAG experience. She is a proud member of the JAG Indiana family.
“I want people to know about JAG. I want them to know about how great this program is and how inspiring and amazing it is for kids. It truly changed my life as a student and now as an adult. Basically, if I could just provide a shred of that empowerment back, I would be happy,” Stidham said.
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