Jeff and Lola Stark Create a Beacon for Aspiring Teachers

After a combined 50-plus years of teaching, Jeff and Lola Stark retired from Vancouver Public Schools, but their passion for education never dimmed. Classroom memories sparked conversations regularly, including an important one shared while vacationing in Scottsdale, Arizona. That’s when their light bulb moment struck: “What if we create a scholarship for college students with a financial need who want to become teachers?”

That idea led them to launch the Light The Way Teacher's Scholarship at the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington in 2024. During the process, Jeff discovered our Senior Scholarship Manager, Deanna Green, had worked with him at Hough Elementary in the 90s.

Deanna helped Jeff and Lola design criteria that supported their vision and student needs. The result: A $5,000 scholarship designated for Clark County residents pursuing a bachelor’s degree in education. The scholarship gives preference to students in their third or fourth year of studies who demonstrate a commitment to community service, a 3.0 minimum college GPA and financial need.

Investing in the Future of Education

The scholarship couldn’t have come soon enough. Teachers are sorely needed in Washington. Our state has the eleventh worst teacher-to-student ratio in the country according to the education research firm, Scholaroo. Schools are especially strapped to fill elementary, math, language arts and special education positions. 

Jeff, who spent most of his 30 years teaching in Title I elementary schools, said, “I saw some teachers leave because it was too hard, and they could make more money elsewhere.” Lola, who taught grades six through eight, added, “The education you need to teach at a public school is expensive. I know multiple people who have $50,000 in debt, and you don’t pay that back very quickly. What we’re trying to do is help students avoid that.” 

Jeff and Lola hope the scholarship helps boost the supply of aspiring teachers at Clark College as well, which recently finalized its Guaranteed Admission Program (GAP) in partnership with WSU Vancouver. GAP enables students to transfer seamlessly between the two schools when working toward a bachelor’s degree, saving time and money.

Amplifying the Spark in Aspiring Educators

Beyond easing the financial strain for future educators, their scholarship also incentivizes students to continue pursuing teaching as a profession. Emma Franks is one example. She received the Stark’s inaugural scholarship last year, which provided a big boost for continuing her studies.

Emma had already been making major strides toward her degree with drive and determination. Thanks to Washington’s Running Start program, she graduated from high school with an associate degree from Clark College. Today, she is excelling in the College of Education at WSU in Pullman while balancing student teaching, peer tutoring and a leadership role in the Student Washington Education Association. For her, the scholarship award provided a powerful reminder that she was on the right path.

“Being raised by a single mother, I knew the cost of college would be my responsibility, and I was determined to not let finances stop me,” Emma said. “This scholarship allows me to fully focus on school and student teaching, which is a full-time job. Without this support, pursuing my dream of becoming a teacher wouldn’t be possible.”

The Starks are equally honored to help fuel Emma’s passion for education, which shined through in her application.

Designed for Ongoing Impact

Jeff and Lola see the Community Foundation as an ideal fit for helping them achieve their goals. Before making a decision, the two spent months talking to teachers, their attorney and others about how to frame and set up the scholarship.

“People kept suggesting the Community Foundation. It handles everything—the application and selection process, and legal and tax matters. And anyone can donate to the scholarship online,” Jeff said.

Contributions are adding up through Jeff and Lola’s efforts. The couple plans to host an annual Light The Way Teacher’s Scholarship Fundraiser, which already raised enough to provide a second scholarship in 2025. In addition, Jeff and Lola worked with the Community Foundation to establish a planned gift using their retirement fund. The arrangement will sustain the scholarship well beyond their years, which is when their daughter and son-in-law, Amy and Zachary Varce, will begin serving on the scholarship committee.

With these details in place, their impact will continue with every new recipient and every new class of students those scholars go on to teach. Ultimately, the Stark’s generosity will shine on for years to come, lighting the way for countless future learners and educators in our community.

“People who are educated are open to the world. They tend to be critical thinkers who are more willing to fact-check and consider more sources of information,” said Jeff. “They also lean in the direction of improving their communities—wanting to make them better for those who come after.”