Ramona Foster’s exceptional career in education and athletics spans more than two decades, marked by a commitment to advancing career and technical education across Massachusetts. Since 2003, she has excelled as an education specialist in the Office for Career and Vocational Technical Education at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. In this capacity, she oversees community colleges offering career and technical education programs, acts as a liaison to assist institutions with program development and expansion, and ensures compliance with both state and federal requirements. Her office is responsible for distributing grants, monitoring programs, and upholding policies related to career and technical education. Recognized as an expert in this field, Mrs. Foster’s leadership has been instrumental in supporting academic institutions throughout the state.
Between 2013 and 2018, Mrs. Foster found success as the head women’s basketball coach at Bunker Hill Community College, where she guided student-athletes both on and off the court. Concurrently, she volunteered as a girls AAU coach with the Boston Showstoppers, dedicating her time to developing young talent in the Boston area from 2013 to 2016. From 2008 to 2012, she contributed as an AAU volunteer coach and girls program coordinator for the Merritting Attention Basketball Club in Boston, fostering athletic growth among youth participants.
Mrs. Foster’s dedication to her local community was further demonstrated through her service as a school committee member-elect for Chelsea Public Schools from 2007 to 2011. During this period, she played an active role in shaping educational policy and supporting student achievement within the district. From 2006 to 2010, Mrs. Foster also served as assistant women’s basketball coach at Emmanuel College in Boston, where she mentored collegiate athletes.
From 2001 to 2003, Mrs. Foster was appointed as the director of special services at Frederick Douglass Charter School in Boston after previously working as a teacher. Her responsibilities during this time included overseeing special education programming and ensuring that students received appropriate support services.
Mrs. Foster began her career as a paraprofessional in Chelsea Public Schools before becoming a substitute teacher. She then gained valuable experience as a special education teacher and head girls’ basketball coach at Chelsea High School from 1994 to 1999. Over her 25-year coaching tenure at Chelsea High School, she became the most successful coach in the school’s history and was inducted into the Chelsea High School Hall of Fame for coaching excellence. She also led the Chelsea Youth Basketball program as both coach and administrator. Her approach emphasized not only athletic achievement but also academic success for young women, a focus that set new standards within the program.
Mrs. Foster has been affiliated with organizations such as the Massachusetts Association for Career and Technical Education (MassCTE). She was also elected as the vice president of the Chelsea Youth Basketball Association, reflecting her ongoing commitment to youth development.
A significant milestone in Mrs. Foster’s teaching career was being recognized as the Teacher of the Year by the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship in early 2000 while teaching entrepreneurship in Boston Public Schools. Her achievements have been honored with induction into multiple halls of fame, including at Chelsea High School for coaching and Chariho High School for athletics in field hockey, basketball and track and field.
To support her professional ambitions, Mrs. Foster pursued an education at Emmanuel College, from which she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in sociology in 1994. She subsequently completed graduate coursework in special education at the University of Massachusetts Boston. She also garnered her certification in remote work foundations from LinkedIn Corporation in 2020. Raised in a large family with six siblings, Mrs. Foster credits her parents’ strong guidance for laying the groundwork for her success. The values instilled during her upbringing have shaped her approach to leadership and relationship-building throughout her life.
Mrs. Foster’s civic engagement extends beyond professional obligations. A supporter of the Chelsea Community Schools Committee from 2007 to 2008, she was previously recruited as co-chair of the academic committee on the Chelsea School Committee from 2005 to 2008. Mrs. Foster is also associated with the Lewis Latimer Society and Museum.
Born in Brooklyn, Mrs. Foster is a mother of four children. Despite facing significant health challenges that continue to affect her mobility, she remains determined to recover movement on her left side so she can return to helping people within her community. Previously using basketball as a vehicle for imparting life lessons to young people, Mrs. Foster hopes to regain full activity levels so she can continue making a difference through mentorship and service.
Throughout every phase of her career, Mrs. Foster has demonstrated resilience and an unwavering dedication to empowering others through education and athletics. Her belief in cultivating meaningful relationships has been central to her success, even as she overcomes personal challenges with determination and grace.