Thomas J. Lester was born and reared in St. Petersburg, Florida. He is the 4th child of eight children. In life he always wanted to be a role model for his other sibling by presenting himself with deep core values by expressing how important it is to be a leader instead of a follower of your peers. Thomas belief is to always keep a positive outlook no matter what road block God has put in your path, because stop signs are there for a reason.
His love for sports became his outlook, not just for the love of the game but the discipline and respect which it instilled within him. After graduation Thomas J. Lester leadership continue in South Dakota, where he was the Dorm President, Captain of the men’s track, football team, and the student body President. Being the motivator he was Thomas Lester became a 2 times Conference champion in the (100 &200 meter dash) in track. The last year in college the women basketball coach had observed his Leadership skills and how discipline the team members were when he spoke. She was impressed with him so she asks him to become one of her assistant women basketball coaches. After that he was certain that his career path would be in Education.
After graduation he married the love of his life Phyllis Wade and they been together for 38 years. Mr. Lester applied his B.S. Degree in Physical Education by accepting a job with the Houston ISD and worked 38 years in various capacities. During his tenure, Mr. Lester has been an educator in Elementary, Middle School and High school, where he coached Football, Basketball and Track. Mr. Lester also was recommended by Mrs. Alma Allen to become a member of the Texas State Book Committee, which he served for many years. He instilled in all his students on and off the field the value of hard work, discipline, dedication and (RESPECT).
During his off season Mr. Lester was a coach and guide runner for the blind sprinters who represent the United States of America Para Olympics Team, where he travel all over the U.S and International countries including Korea, Spain, Germany, Holland, Paris and Australia to name a few before he retired from the league. He was also featured in Jet Magazine of the Sept. 13, 1999 addition for being a guide runner. (He was a little upset because they didn’t print his name. (But he quickly realized it wasn’t about him that time.)
Mr. Lester has been called a “Players Coach” by having an open door policy for all students, who came to him for counseling and guidance. Mr. Lester is a well-respected individual, not only by his students but by his friends and community.
In his 38 years with HISD, he didn’t limit his sites on educating the minds of his students, but the development of their character.
His Motto: Education is Power! Which means with God’s grace, you can shatter the limits others have set for you, because today’s decision is tomorrows REALITY?