D’Jelma Hearn-Zirkle Papers
Scope and Contents
The materials in this collection include one diary with typed transcription with notes, and CD with file of transcription; photographs, negatives, grade cards, a written speech, diploma, commencement program, transcript, teaching history records, and a book. The objects depict the life of D’Jelma Hearn-Zirkle as a student at Southwest Texas State Teachers College in San Marcos, Texas from fall 1938 through spring 1942. The book shows the published achievement of a peer of Hearn-Zirkle, and the teaching records demonstrate Hearn-Zirkle’s teaching career.
This accession is arranged into seven series by type of material and by date. Series I: Hearn-Zirkle Diary, 1940-1943; Series II: Grade Documentation, 1938-1961; Series V: Graduation, 1942; Series VI: Post Graduation Work, 1942-1976; Series VII: Hearing Aids, 1970s.
Dates
- 1939-1978
Creator
Conditions Governing Access
Open to researchers without restriction.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright restrictions may apply. Special Collections and Archives owns the physical items in our collections, but copyright normally belongs to the creator of the materials or their heirs. The researcher has full responsibility for determining copyright status, obtaining permission to publish from copyright holders, and abiding by current copyright laws when publishing or displaying copies of Special Collections and Archives material in print or electronic form.
Biographical note
D’Jelma Desse Hearn-Zirkle was born July 24, 1918 in Rossville, Texas. Around the age of seven or eight years old, Hearn moved to Encinal, Texas. At the age of ten, she lost her hearing from a measles infection. After graduating high school in Encinal in 1934, Hearn’s father, Julious Hearn, took four years to find her a hearing aid and when he did, Hearn-Zirkle enrolled in Southwest Texas State Teachers College in the fall of 1938. She graduated in May 1942 with her Bachelor’s Degree. In the summers of 1960 and 1961, Hearn-Zirkle returned to Southwest Texas State University for additional classes.
Upon graduation, Hearn-Zirkle went on to teach in George West, Texas for two years. After a lengthy time off to raise her children, Harriet Elaine and Judith Lorraine, Hearn-Zirkle then taught in the Encinal School District from 1959-1965. In 1965, she taught for one year in the Pleasanton School District, and then taught one year in 1966 in the Charlotte School District. In 1967, Hearn-Zirkle began teaching at Carrizo Springs County School District through 1975. Hearn-Zirkle taught in Presidio School District from 1975 to 1978.
Hearn-Zirkle died Jan. 12, 1979, and she is buried in the Cotulla Cemetery in Cotulla, Texas.
Extent
0.42 Linear Feet (One legal size Hollinger box)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
D’Jelma Desse Hearn-Zirkle was a Texas State University alum and teacher who was also deaf. Collection depicts her life and teaching career.
Physical Location
Stored in the Archives and Research Center offsite preservation. Advance notice is required for to view.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated by Elaine Zirkle-Adams, daughter of D’Jelma Hearn-Zirkle, 2008, 2009, and 2019.
- Title
- D’Jelma Hearn-Zirkle Papers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Sarah Marshall
- Date
- 2011-10-06
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Revision Statements
- 2021-04: Revised, Nicole Critchley
- 2019: ArchivesSpace revisions by Zoe Heinsohn
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections and Archives Repository
Alkek Library Room 580
601 University Drive
San Marcos Texas 78666 USA
UnivArchives@txstate.edu
