Celeste Tribune

30/05/2026

22/05/2026

15/05/2026

Crystal Brown: A Heart for Celeste and a Legacy of Service
For 25 years, Crystal Brown has been a steady, hardworking, and deeply loved part of Celeste ISD. A proud Celeste alumna, Crystal graduated from East Texas with a degree in Business and Finance before later returning to earn her Secondary Education certification. She began her career teaching 4th grade for four years before transitioning to the high school, where she has continued making a tremendous impact ever since.
To so many in the community, Crystal is more than a teacher. She is a leader, a supporter, an organizer, and one of the people who quietly keeps countless things running behind the scenes. From helping coordinate memorable events like prom to showing up wherever she is needed, her work ethic and dedication to Celeste ISD are unmatched.
For Crystal, Celeste has always been more than a workplace — it is home. “I went to school here, and now I get to come back and work alongside people who once taught me,” she shared. In a small school where everyone knows one another, those relationships matter deeply. She describes the community as a “Blue Devil village” that helped raise her own children and continues to support her every day.
That sense of connection fuels the way Crystal approaches teaching. One of her biggest goals is to build strong relationships with students so they know they are supported, valued, and cared for. She wants students to grow not only academically, but also into respectful and responsible people. More than anything, she hopes students remember her as someone who truly made a positive difference in their lives.
Crystal’s love for Celeste is woven into every part of her story. She speaks with pride about learning from incredible educators and now having the privilege of pouring that same investment back into the next generation. Seeing students succeed beyond the classroom and knowing she played even a small role in their journey is one of the greatest rewards of her career.
Outside of school, Crystal’s life is centered on faith and family. “God is first and family is everything,” she says, and those values guide the way she lives, teaches, and serves others every day.
Celeste ISD is better because of Crystal Brown. Her loyalty, leadership, compassion, and tireless dedication have left a lasting mark on generations of Blue Devils, and her legacy of service continues to shine throughout the community she loves so dearly.

15/05/2026

Today, Celeste ISD was honored by a very special alumnus, Sarah Swindell.
A longtime member of our community, she brought in a Celeste High School diploma from 1913, carefully preserved and full of history. As she held it, it was clear that this was more than a document. It was a piece of Celeste’s story, and a reminder of how deeply this school has been woven into the lives of generations.
There are moments when the past feels very close. Today was one of them.
We are grateful she trusted us with this memory and allowed us to share in the beauty of it. Celeste ISD is proud to be part of a community where history is not forgotten, where stories still matter, and where the people who came before us remain part of who we are. We love our town, and we are proud to be Blue Devils.
Small School, Big Heart.

15/05/2026

Kristi Campbell: Growing Confidence, Opportunity, and Impact
For Kristi Campbell, the Teacher Incentive Allotment has meant far more than financial recognition — it has been a powerful reminder that the work she pours into her students each day truly matters. While her dedication and passion have always been evident to those around her, Kristi says the experience has helped her begin to see in herself the same value and potential that others have long recognized in her.
Professionally, the allotment has motivated her to push herself even further, striving each day to be the very best educator she can be for her students. Personally, it has given her a deeper sense of confidence and affirmation. “It has given me more confidence that everyone else saw in me that I didn’t see in myself,” she shared.
The impact has also reached directly into her classroom. Because of the opportunities provided through TIA, Kristi has been able to create experiences for her students that may not have otherwise been possible. Her heart for students is evident in the way she immediately thinks about how her success can become a blessing for the children she teaches.
Most importantly, the recognition has reinforced something deeply meaningful to her: that her work changes lives. “It has allowed me to feel valuable in my career and that what I do does make a difference in the lives of others.”
Kristi Campbell’s story is one of growth, encouragement, and purpose. Through her dedication, humility, and love for students, she continues to make a lasting impact at Celeste ISD every single day.

15/05/2026

Greg McFee: Quiet Leadership, Lasting Impact
For 30 years, Greg McFee has faithfully dedicated his career to teaching mathematics and helping students prepare for life beyond the classroom. With a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and a quiet, humble spirit, Greg has become the kind of educator whose impact speaks volumes without ever needing attention or recognition.
Known as an incredible person by those who know him best, Greg brings consistency, wisdom, and genuine care into his classroom every day. He especially enjoys working with students who are eager to learn and grow, and he takes pride in helping them build the skills and confidence they need to succeed.
While math is the subject he teaches, Greg’s greater focus has always been preparing students for the real world. He wants students to leave his classroom ready to think critically, work hard, and navigate life successfully long after graduation.
Over three decades in education, Greg McFee has quietly made a lasting difference in the lives of countless students. His humility, steady dedication, and heart for young people are a true gift to Celeste ISD and the community he serves.

07/05/2026

Class of 2026 has left their mark!
Mural is complete!

03/05/2026