‘Special and moving’

Warden teacher loves her little community

WARDEN — Jessica Galster still can’t believe she’s a teacher sometimes. Even though she’s been teaching first grade at Warden Elementary School for five years. “It is truly the most fulfilling job in the world. I drive to and from school every day thinking, ‘this is my job? Really? I get to do this with the coolest kids ever?” Galster said. “It still feels surreal.” A Central Washington University graduate who grew up in Ephrata, Galster — like a lot of teachers — describes teaching first grade as the best job in the world, one she feels called to because she was influenced by teachers when she was in school. “I wanted to become a teacher to help teach and advocate for students,” she said. “I want them to leave my room remembering how amazing and special they all are. … I am here to give the Warden students exactly the same — an advocate who will believe in them, love them and root for them for the rest of their lives.” “Also, hearing them sing the songs that I teach them is the cutest thing ever,” Galster added.