Mrs. Foyo’s Enduring Impact

By Allan Tompkins

Mrs. Foyo posing with her late husband, Fred Foyo, when he was named Track Coach of the Year ( Photo credit: Christopher Columbus High School Social Media)

For 45 years, Mrs. Foyo has been a staple of the Christopher Columbus High School Math Department. At a stage in her career where the children of her former students are entering her classroom, Mrs. Foyo has not only helped thousands of students better understand math, but she has and will continue, to inspire a sense of optimism all around her. 

Mrs. Foyo’s love for her students is unquantifiable and she has said that her passion for teaching since she started has always made her job feel so easy and fun. From her time as principal of summer school to department chair of math to even the tutoring sessions she offers every weekend to kids needing help with math or SAT prep, Mrs. Foyo exemplifies a teacher who goes the extra mile to help students feel more confident in their knowledge. 

Mrs. Leonard, her co-worker and best friend of 26 years expressed gratitude toward Foyo’s support of her and the rest of the math department throughout her time as chair.

“Anything that we ever brought up to the administration, she always backed up and pushed for, which I was always so thankful for,” said Mrs. Leonard. 

While students in Columbus are thankful for Mrs. Foyo and her ability to make teaching exciting, they don’t realize the past that she’s been through. Mrs. Foyo is not only a widow to a husband who taught at Columbus just as long as she, but she is also the mother to a son who passed away. Despite these devastating losses in her life, Mrs. Foyo looks back at her husband and son with a smile on her face and prefers recalling the happier moments that she was so fortunate to have with them. 

“In my personal life, I’m very optimistic. I always try to take an obstacle and try to find the good side of it and what I’m learning from it,” said Foyo. 

Mrs. Foyo’s journey is one of quiet resilience and profound strength, underscoring her role as a pillar not only in the Math Department but in the wider Columbus community. Every lesson she teaches and every word of encouragement she offers is filled with a depth that comes from overcoming life’s most challenging moments. Her presence in the classroom goes beyond numbers and equations, embodying a model of perseverance that resonates deeply with both students and colleagues.

When asked what makes Foyo such an invaluable part of Columbus, Principal Pugh considers her one of the greatest embodiments of the five Marist Pillars of presence, simplicity, family spirit, love of work and in the way of Mary. 

“For me, she’s one of those rocks that’s created stability and family spirit in this community,” said Pugh.

Mrs. Foyo’s ability to stand out and impact so many young men, especially as a female teacher, is an achievement that should not go unnoticed as she has shaped so many lives in such a positive way.

“She’s my role model. I wish I could have that [optimism] if I had gone through what she has been through because I don’t know if I would’ve continued moving on. She’s just been such a great teacher,” said Mrs. Leonard. 

As she nears retirement, Mrs. Foyo’s impact is clear—her optimism, unwavering support, and compassionate leadership have left an indelible mark on Columbus. Her life’s work transcends the classroom, reaching into the hearts of those she has inspired to persevere through their own challenges with the same courage and grace.