Celeste Foster
#EISDTeacherOfTheYear #EdgewoodProud Meet Celeste Foster, the 2018-2019 Teacher of the Year for Cisneros Elementary.
Celeste is from San Juan, Texas and received her bachelor's degree from The University of Texas at San Antonio. After relocating to San Antonio in 2008, Celeste began teaching at Roy Cisneros and has devoted the past decade to influence the lives of her students.
"When I got hired in EISD, it felt like home. I feel like I can relate to the culture and I've stayed here so long because I made that connection. Some students carry a lot of weight on their shoulders and every day I strive to give them that relief, even if it's for a minute. I let them know they are cared for, that we believe in them and they always have someone to talk to."
Celeste's influence on students is so prominent that many are still in contact with her. She's even begun receiving Class of 2019 Graduation invites from students in her very first class! Other students will still stop by her classroom from time to time just to say hi or make sure she's having a great day.
"There was one student who was having a tough time and I was able to help him through by finding out what books he loved or lending him my ear to talk. Now, he's in fourth grade and every day after school he'll come by my classroom and ask me how I'm doing or if I need help with anything like putting away my computers or tidying up."
So it was no surprise to many at Cisneros that Celeste would be nominated as Teacher of the Year but the thought hadn't even crossed her mind. "When I found out, I was shocked! These aren't the things that you think about, you know. What really made my heart grow was when my colleagues said, ‘Of course you would get it, why wouldn't you? You're awesome!' It's so rewarding and affirming to know that I'm doing everything right."
Join us in congratulating Celeste, the 2018-2019 Teacher of the Year for Cisneros Elementary!