STEEL Awards: Cynthia Webster

Cynthia Webster - Alice W. Douse Elementary
“Your leadership has transformed the early literacy program, with enthusiastic parents eager to enroll their children, including an expansion of opportunities for 2-year-olds,” said Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources Will Baker, reading Webster’s nomination.
The 17-year KISD employee first entered the classroom as a school volunteer, then became a classroom aide and moved into the parent liaison role.
“I love the little ones,” she said. “If you can capture the minds of the little ones, then they will enjoy being here.”
Webster builds relationships with parents, listens to what they like and need and builds a program to help children become more prepared to start school.
“I like greeting them in the morning,” she said of her daily routine at the start of the school day. “That’s important. You want them to feel welcome, like someone cares … It’s going to be a great day.”
She becomes emotional as she talks about the process of capturing the mind and heart of a young child and how that can reverberate into the life of a whole family and change the course of a life.
When she won the STEEL Award, the longtime parent liaison was visibly moved.
“That was amazing to me. I was really surprised. It means a lot, especially to know that my principal thinks the world of me to want to honor me,” she said.
“My co-workers congratulating me today, telling me I deserve it, that means the world to me.”
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