After serving as Aragon’s Administrative Assistant for 26 years, Becky Foster spent her last day on campus on Aug. 22 before heading into retirement. During her time at Aragon, she worked with four principals: former principals Ann Rarden, Kirk Black and Patricia Kurtz, and current principal Valerie Arbizu.
“I have very much enjoyed working for this school district,” Foster said. “I’m mainly looking [back] on the friendships that I’ve made with fellow teachers and classified staff, and seeing how the school has improved in the way of technology, facilities and in opportunities for students.”
As the Administrative Assistant, Foster was responsible for several tasks like communicating with the district office, directing traffic and maintaining important records.
“I think about [Foster as] someone who was on the frontline … of our school,” said athletic director Steve Sell. “[She] … was such a huge part of the fabric of this school.”
A major aspect of Foster’s role was to assist the principal. When current Deputy Superintendent Black served as Aragon’s principal in 2002, he often relied on Foster for guidance and support.
“[Foster] wasn’t my boss … but I felt like she was because she ran the school,” Black said. “She kept me on schedule, and reminded me of things I would forget. She had high expectations … and she never wavered in her performance. I don’t remember her ever being sick to the point where she couldn’t come to work.”
She kept me on schedule, and reminded me of things I would forget. She had high expectations … and she never wavered in her performance. I don’t remember her ever being sick to the point where she couldn’t come to work.
During her time at Aragon, Foster worked with Black to initiate and lead the annual staff hall of fame from 2007 to 2011 to honor and celebrate retired Aragon teachers and staff.
“She was really into the [hall of fame],” Black said. “She helped me with the presentations and … [helped] find people who had retired, and [invited] them to this big event. [Foster] would always get these great awards for them too.”
Having worked at Aragon for over two decades, Foster built a reputation for her reliable and approachable nature.
“It always amazed me how well she could keep track of everybody,” said Site Accounting Technician Luci Tolfa. “She … made people feel welcome. She is a great role model for anyone working in a position where you’re interacting with the public … professional yet kind.”
Outside of her routine responsibilities, Foster frequently interacted with students, though usually only briefly.
“I wish I could [have connected] with students more,” Foster said. “Other than just helping students that came by, I [only] saw the students on our switchboard on a daily basis. So even though I saw lots of students going by, I didn’t have an opportunity to really get to know them.”
However, Foster aimed to help guide and prepare students when she had the opportunity.
“She was so nurturing and motherly,” said Office Assistant Lisa Stanton. “Sometimes she had to be firm, but that’s part of this job. She held students [accountable], because she considered them part of her family. She was authentic in her love and care for Aragon.”
Not only did Foster contribute to students’ personal growth, but she also worked diligently to create a friendly and trusting environment for the Aragon community.
“When there were special holidays, she would give me a little gift like a Starbucks gift card and some candles,” said senior Maya Pappas, who was Foster’s office aide in the 2022-2023 school year. “When it was [Arbizu’s] birthday last year, they had cake in the staff lounge, so she brought some extra for me. She was really sweet [and] kind to everyone.”
Her constant effort to craft and maintain a strong sense of community with her colleagues enabled her to build lasting friendships.
“As a young athletic director in my early 30s, I was not very good at procedural paperwork,” Sell said. “I felt like I made [Foster’s] life more difficult, because I [forgot] to submit forms. So one day when we got our pictures back, because she had to tolerate me all the time, I [decided] to cut out a picture of me and give it to her as a ‘thank you for everything you do’ … and she put it on her computer. So then every year, I got a picture and gave it to [her].”
Even after Foster leaves Aragon, many feel that her impact will remain for time to come.
“She taught me to let go of some things,” Stanton said. “She was a good friend to me … She would just give me sage advice, and she would always take the time to stop and listen because she [was a] mother figure to me, and I’m going to miss that.”
She was a good friend to me … She would just give me sage advice, and she would always take the time to stop and listen because she [was a] mother figure to me, and I’m going to miss that.
During retirement, Foster hopes to spend her free time on hobbies and her family.
“We’re planning to do a little more traveling,” Foster said. “I have four grandchildren that I’m going to be seeing more of, and [there are] a few more hobbies and little [art] projects that have been on the backburner that I’d like to work on.”
Leaving Aragon, Foster is ready to step into this new phase of her life.
“I think you get back quite a bit of what you give,” Foster said. “I think it’s important for you to always do your best, and it seems like good things will follow. It was a hard decision, but I knew that the timing was right.”
