Among Iola Middle School’s many classrooms, there is one with 10 students at most. New special education teacher Rhonda Foster is a fresh face on the staff.
Not only is Foster new to IMS, but also to special ed. She began teaching only two years ago where she spent one year each in Chetopa teaching middle school English and Westphalia at the elementary level. Special ed has been the area she has always wanted to work in.
“My goal was to teach English and hopefully move into the special education field because I like working with those that need a little extra help,” Foster said.
Prior to teaching, Foster spent 20 years in Fort Scott with various health insurance companies. In this field, companies would sprout up and leave, forcing Foster to take other temporary jobs between the different firms.
“I wound up doing some paraprofessional jobs when a health insurance company would go down,” Foster said. “Insurance companies would come and go, but always started in Fort Scott. I enjoyed that time, but it’s just that I enjoy working with the kids more.”
Foster quit the insurance field to pursue a career in education. To do this, she worked full time at Walmart while also being a full-time student taking online courses at Sterling College. She completed her degree in elementary education and is currently working on a master’s degree in special education with online classes at Pittsburg State University.
Special ed has been her passion from the beginning, she said, but as a single mother she had been unable to afford the time and money to pursue the necessary education.
With special ed, Foster helps kids with study skills and those who struggle with peer relationships. It is key for students in her class to work on self control.
While there can be plenty of ups and downs in a day, Foster said she is forgiving to her students.
“I love the kids,” Foster said. “Even when they’re really feisty, I still love them. If they act up with me and they come the next day, it’s a new day tomorrow and I’m not going to fault them.”
Foster said she wants to make an impact on the next generation of children to come.
“My goal is to make a difference in somebody’s life and see if they can help them improve their situation,” Foster said. “My long-term goal is to stay in the area, retire in a few years and call it good. I’m a late comer to the education field and I’m not going to teach very long compared to some of these people, but I enjoy it.”
Newcomers join 257 teaching ranks: Foster embraces change
