Students in Ms. Fox’s English Language Learners class surprised her with a party earlier this semester to show her how much they appreciate her. 

Several students decorated the presentation room with balloons and signs and brought food they made at home to thank her for all that she does for them. 

“She has been doing everything for us,” said Aya Abdelaziz, a former student and Stillwater grad who was at the surprise party. “She’s not just teaching. She’s a mom, friend, and teacher.” 

Students brought popular dishes from other countries that filled two large tables. They gathered in the room during second period while others brought Fox to the room. When she arrived, she was surprised and happy when she saw everyone that was there.

“[I told them] I haven’t done anything extra to deserve this,” Fox said of the surprise her students put together for her.

Ms. Fox has been at Stillwater High School for five years. Before she started teaching here, she stayed at home to watch her seven kids. She is originally from Mexico.

“Because where I was, we didn’t have that career as an educator, so what I did was to study accounting,” she said. “After that, I started volunteer [teaching] and they told me to take the [teacher certification] test.”

She said she teaches because she has a passion for ELL.

“It was my little-girl dream,” Fox said. “It fills my heart to see how they develop the English language.”