Penny Jester – 15 in 2015

// Executive Director, Kidsource Therapy // 39 years in Saline County

Penny Jester lives by the philosophy to make decisions based on love for others and not fear. The many families who come in contact with her certainly benefit from her outlook as she provides a nurturing and supportive environment for children with developmental delays and disabilities.

Before opening Kidsource Therapy in Benton, Penny had an established career as a licensed special education teacher. But she felt pulled to a greater cause. “I had worked in center-based settings and did not feel I was able to make a real difference because I did not get the parent involvement I believed was necessary. The effectiveness of therapy is increased exponentially when therapeutic interventions are worked into a child and family’s everyday routines.”

She and business partner Corey Tinkle founded Kidsource with the vision of providing a center that placed more emphasis on parent involvement. A physical therapist, Corey saw the benefits of not relying solely on therapist intervention, Penny adds. They wanted to give families a caring environment that partners with them for their child’s individual pediatric speech, occupational, physical or developmental therapy needs.

“Parents are a child’s first and best teacher,” Penny says. “At Kidsource, we start there and the rest falls into place with the correct intervention. Every day, I’m motivated by improvements made in Kidsource children and the need to guide parents through what’s often a scary and unknown process.”

Penny is humbled daily by the Kidsource staff that has developed over the organization’s 15-year history. “I absolutely know that without each of them, I could accomplish very little on my own.”

Penny developed her giving spirit from her parents and grandparents, who taught her to leave things better than when she found them. “They taught me to never just take something from a situation and always do my part to make an impact,” she says. “Nothing makes me happier than to see other people succeed and be proud of themselves. We all have challenges in life and must overcome them every day. I hope that by finding Kidsource, a child’s (and their family’s) life is enhanced and made better than it would be without having been here.”

When frustrated or puzzled at work, Penny says she hears the voice of her graduate school professor, Dr. Mary Hendricks. “She taught me about early intervention and how crucial family involvement is. It’s that voice that pushes me to find a solution that works for each family.”