Local teacher awarded surprise scholarship

An Olympia teacher received a scholarship in a surprise visit from Western Governors University (WGU) earlier today at her school.

Alicia Dufay had a visit from WGU (Western Governors University) staff who informed her that she will be receiving a $4,000 Military Spouse Scholarship scholarship from the university.  Dufay teaches Grade 2 at Garfield Elementary School. 

Dufay plans to earn her master’s degree at WGU, with the university pledging to help her complete her degree “at a pace that works for her and her family,” according to WGU in a press release.

“One of the benefits of WGU being completely online was there was never a time where I had to give up something in my day-to-day life, with my family, with my job, in order to do something for school,” said Dufay, who is already a WGU alumna. “I was able to do things completely on my schedule.”

Dufay also be featured in the TV show, Military Makeover. 

Dufay, a military spouse, and her husband also have a child who has special needs. Her story will be shown on Friday, June 24 on Lifetime TV.

UPDATES: June 10, 2022 -- a previous version of this story was titled,  "Local paraeducator awarded surprise scholarship." This was incorrect as Dufay is a licensed teacher.   June 13, 2022 --  The previous version of this story indicated that Dufay would receive a home makeover.  This was based on incorrect information provided by a third party.  Instead, Dufay offered this correction:  "I will just be talking about my time as a student with WGU during a segment called Operation Career that airs as part of the Military Makeover show, she said.  We regret  the previous errors.