12/21/2020 – In her time at Wheaton Academy, Betsy Jones '14 was involved in numerous activities around campus. In addition to playing on the girls' tennis team, Jones sang in the choir, performed in the spring musical, traveled on three Winterim trips (Footsteps of Paul, Scotland mission trip, and Close-Up D.C. Government), and volunteered with Puente Del Pueblo.
Following graduation, she enrolled at Taylor University in Indiana to earn her degree in Elementary Education and Special Education. Jones was also a member of the women's tennis team at Taylor. During college, she taught private tennis lessons which sparked her interest in eventually becoming a coach.
"Some of the most important lessons I learned from tennis were based on perseverance and the understanding that my worth was not found in my performance, but in showing Christ to my teammates and opponents. These are two lessons I strive to teach the players I coach so they can practice them on and off the court."
Once she earned her degree from Taylor, Jones returned to the area to work at Outreach Community Ministries in Carol Stream. Then, she accepted a job as a Resource Teacher (special education) at Gary Elementary School here in West Chicago, where she still works. This fall, she came back to Wheaton Academy to coach the sport she loves.
"I love the people and the devotion to Christ's gospel here at Wheaton Academy. It is exactly where I want to coach because coaching at Wheaton Academy is bigger than coaching tennis. It is about coaching endurance and perseverance in the situations where the Lord has presently placed these players and in the future to which the Lord is calling them in his plan."
Being a Warrior during her high school playing days has guided her to coach the girls' tennis team. "Knowing how to organize and plan for an effective practice; how to conduct myself professionally in conversations, leadership, and complicated situations; how to exercise my body physically as well as through spiritual disciplines—Wheaton Academy helped to prepare me to become a coach in all these ways."
