For more than 22 years, Kathleen Foster has been devoted to a career in education and the empowerment of her students. Currently she is an English teacher and the English Language Arts coach at Jennings Junior High school. Teaching is something she couldn’t see herself stepping away from now, although her calling almost went unfulfilled.
In 1971 Foster graduated from Washington University with a degree in Biology and African-American studies. Soon after, she made the decision to go to work at Washington University as a patients accounts representative. “I was never interested in being a teacher but it was always in the back of my mind” says Foster.
In 1985, her life took a turn. Foster found herself constantly losing jobs and couldn’t understand why. She then decided to go back to school and get her MBA from Lindenwood University. Upon graduating from Lindenwood, Foster was still in a state of uncertainty with her career path.
“I was still not quite fulfilled or satisfied,” she said. “All the while a voice in my head was telling me that I should be a teacher. “
Finally, Foster said she submitted to the notion of being an educator and decided to enroll at Harris-Stowe State University as a working mother.
“I knew I would take a huge pay cut, and I didn’t know how I would be able to pay for school with two children” she said. “I was planning on only taking one course at Harris-Stowe due to my finances, but somehow my high school ACT score allowed me to attend Harris-Stowe for free.”
Foster believes this was all due to divine destiny. “The way that everything fell into place was my confirmation to be a teacher,” she said.
Soon after graduating from Harris-Stowe, everyone told her she wouldn’t be able to secure a teaching position because it was January and all the teachers for the next term were already in place.
“Somehow,” she said, “I managed to graduate and get hired in the month of January.” Foster was hired into the Wellston School District at Bishop Middle School. “I was the fourth teacher this particular class had that school year, and every day I left crying,” she said. “But I knew I did not want to give up.”
By the end of the school year, Foster secured her full-time position at Bishop Middle School. After working as a teacher in the Wellston School District for two years, Foster was interviewed and hired to teach science at Jennings Junior High School, which has been her home to this day.
Former Wellston Middle School student Wannakanee Stevens said she remembers Mrs. Foster as a merchant of hope. “She believed in us and she encouraged us to believe in one another and help one another,” Steven said. “She constantly reminded us that we are not a product of our environment and that we could all go on to do great things in life.”
Stevens said that during the time she was a student of Mrs. Foster’s, she was battling a bout of depression.
“She introduced me to the song ‘Young, Gifted and Black’ during the school’s Black History Month Program,” Stevens said. “That instilled an awareness of self in me as a black person in a positive way.”
Gloria Allen is another former student who remembers Mrs. Forster from Wellston Middle School.
“She went over and beyond as a teacher,” Allen said. “She truly cared about us. If there was anything she sensed going on with us personally, she showed a lot of empathy. She taught us that we can do anything , that the power lies within us.”
Allen said that even now she tells her young daughter about Mrs. Foster’s influence. “Even in discussion with my former peers,” Allen said, “we talk about how she truly impacted our lives.”
Jennings Middle School Principal Melba Davis described Foster as a “phenomenal teacher.”
“She never blames a lack of learning on the children,” Davis said. “She feels that a student’s lack of understanding is her fault.”
She remembers days where Foster stayed late after school to develop lesson plans for the next day. “She puts in endless hours to make sure her students are successful,” Davis said.
Before she begins class, Foster greets students with a handshake. “They cannot look down, they have to look me in the eye,” she said. “I’m always watching to see what’s going on with them. Kids are so transparent.”
Though her path was not clear at the beginning, she is now on it to stay.
“I am committed to the growth and development of students and teachers in urban schools,” Foster said. “The work is difficult, but oh so rewarding. I know without a shadow of a doubt this is my life’s purpose. I was placed on earth to do this work, here.”
