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Kathleen Foster

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Retired Educator

I am a second generation educator. Both of my parents were educators, as were many other black professionals in my family’s circle of influence. The influence and impact my parents had on me, other family members, and youth was powerful. As I began considering a career, I realized that teachers touch and influence the lives of almost every person in America. I have been teaching since 1979 and still love helping mold and guide the minds and lives of our youth. I have served as a Guest Teacher in Colorado Springs since 2007.

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Kathleen Foster
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What role do you play in your Industry?

  • Guest Teacher, Colorado Springs School District 11 since 2007

What year did you start in your industry?

  • 1979

What Certifications, Degrees, Titles and Experience do you have in your industry?

  • BS Psychology, University of Louisville; Louisville, KY Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT); Colorado College, Colorado Springs, CO

Why & How did you get involved in your industry?

  • Both of my parents were educators, as were many other black professionals in my family's circle of influence. The influence and impact my parents had on me was powerful. As I began considering a career, I realized that teachers touch and influence the lives of almost every person in America. I have been teaching since 1979 and still love helping mold and guide the minds and lives of our youth.

What do you love most about your role in your industry?

  • Teaching is truly the most servant leadership role I can think of, however, teachers are often not recognized and honored for the impact they have on the lives of almost every child in our nation. Most often military personnel are honored and recognized for their dedication and sacrifice. Teachers may not give their lives or limbs for their service, however, teachers do touch almost every life in America and other parts of the world. If, like many in corporate America, teachers were paid according to the students they teacher, they would be among the highest paid employees in our nation.

What is the best advice you have received about how to impact your industry?

  • I've been an educator so long that I don't remember any specific advice about teaching. Greater than advice from others, is experience in the classroom. it is said that "Experience is the best teacher". Experience has taught me to: * Empathize with my students. They bring their family relationships and experiences with them to school and the classroom - their joys and their hurts. * Be flexible. Planning is essential, however, a teacher needs to be able to modify plans to meet the needs of students as situations change and arise. * Understand and accept the impact I may or may not have on the lives of my students. I am but a small influence in my students' daily lives. * Learn from others smarter or more experienced than I. Seek advise and help when needed. Learn from any mistakes. Collaborate and learn from other teachers and educational professionals. * Build professional relationships with the school district. I have made an asserted effort to get to know personnel in Central Administration. I have also called some of them when I had a professional concern or needed help with a professional challenge. * As life and laws change, continue to learn about changes in educational policies on the local, state and national level. * Learn to balance personal life and professional work, taking time for ourselves and family. Unlike many other professionals, teachers have to grade papers which often requires taking work home. * Remember the "why", why I became a teacher in the first place.

What do you think are the top 3 things that help people excel in your industry?

  • * High expectations for educators themselves * High expectations for ALL student behavior and performance * Be consistent and fair; be flexible; treat each student equitably, not equally.

What encouragement would you give to those who are interested in being in your industry?

  • Children need someone to care about, believe in, and teach them. People who desire to make a difference in the future should go into education. Children are our future. Students need to learn to think critically and NOT be influenced by other people or media. They need help learning to make wise, informed decision about their lives, and how to be effective and influential leaders.

What do you think is the most important qualities for people to have in your industry?

  • I believe that teaching is an "art". Most teachers have an innate ability to: * Know and communicate subject matter to students at the appropriate age and grade level * Be dedicate to teaching * Be a good listener; patient, caring and kind * Develop effective and meaning relationships with children and youth. * Know how to collaborate and teach students how to do the same.

What obstacles have you overcome, or are you overcoming to excel in your industry?

  • I am fortunate that I have not faced many obstacles in my career. Obstacles that I have faced were more related to my high expectations of student behavior and performance and school administrators not having those same expectations, particularly for students of color.

What accomplishments are you most proud of in your life?

  • My greatest accomplishments in life are my six children. I have two children by birth and adopted four children when they were between the ages of 4 weeks and 6 months. None have become president of the United States, or are millionaires, but they all are successful in their own aspects of life, nonetheless.

Who is is one person that has influenced your direction in life? Explain How.

  • I would say that my father, Harold Spencer Brown, has influence the decisions I have made in life. My father was a short man with a big Adam's apple who spoke with a rather deep voice. He was a man of great integrity and high expectations for behavior and performance, a no nonsense person. "Daddy" taught high school math. I was in one of his geometry classes and had to call him "Mr. Brown" in class. No special consideration or treatment. I became an educator in an effort to emulate the difference I believe Harold Spencer Brown made in the lives of students, family and friends, and others within his sphere of influence.$300

What advice would you give to the younger generation?

  • I collect "Words of Wisdom" from various sources; some with authors, some authors unknown. I have many, however, this is one I would like to share: As you get older, you will realize that: * A $300 watch and a $30 watch tell the same time. * A Michael Kors wallet and a Forever 21 wallet hold the same amount of money. * A $300,000 house and a $30,000 house both host the same happiness or loneliness. * A Ford will drive you as far as a Bentley. True happiness is not found in materialistic things; it comes from the love and laughter found with each other.

What do you want your legacy to be?

  • I want people to remember me as A loving and dedicate mother A dedicated and loving wife, family member and friend A passionate, dedicated and servant educator and leader

What else would you like people to know about you?

  • I want people to know that I believe that I am blessed and highly favored.
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