Heather Faunce-Estay loves physical therapy and serving others. And while she has put this to good use in the last 30 years in education, 16 with Harris County Department of Education, it’s a gift her grandmother told her came naturally, even as a child.

“She used to say I gave great back massages,” Faunce-Estay said with a small chuckle.

“If you look at my high school yearbook, it says I wanted to be a PT,” Faunce-Estay added. “Everything I’ve always done and everything I did led me to becoming a PT. I’ve never had a different job than being a physical therapist.”

Faunce-Estay, who works with special education students at several Cypress-Fairbanks ISD schools, is HCDE’s February Employee of the Month. She was nominated after Kathleen Vecchio, the special education supervisor at Cypress Ranch High School, wrote a letter acknowledging Faunce-Estay’s service to students. The letter showcased Faunce-Estay’s dedication to students every single day and her willingness to meet them where they are – no matter the circumstances.

“I love to see her passion,” said Vy Dang, an occupational therapist who works at many of the same schools as Faunce-Estay. “Being new to school-based therapy, I’ve learned a lot through seeing how she interacts with the children and how she works with all the staff members. She has this wealth of knowledge but never showcases it in any way that makes people feel like she’s telling them what to do. It’s always a collaborative effort when you work with Heather.”

Last May, Vecchio received a request from Deanna Szot, whose daughter, Breanna, has Rett syndrome, a rare neurodevelopment disorder that can impair language, coordination and movement.

Deanna asked if there was a way for Breanna, a graduating senior, to walk across the stage like her fellow 900-plus classmates.

Vecchio and Faunce-Estay met and put together a plan, factoring safety, surroundings and other logistics, so Breanna could experience her few seconds on stage the same as everyone else, but not take away from the graduation. Faunce-Estay volunteered her time at the evening graduation, donning matching regalia alongside district administration and assisting Breanna while she stood in her gait trainer.

When Breanna’s name was announced, Faunce-Estay guided her across the stage, allowing her to stop and receive her diploma and take a photo with the principal. Breanna even paused to receive congratulations from the superintendent.

It was a moment Deanna never thought was possible.

“As a special needs parent, it means everything,” she said. “For most people graduation is a steppingstone to the next chapter in life. But for a lot of our kids, this is a culmination of everything. This was a huge deal for her.”

Admittedly, Faunce-Estay isn’t one for recognition or the spotlight. She started her career in healthcare, specializing in spinal cord and amputee patients. A friend suggested a career move into school-based therapy where her day varies from making an accommodation in the classroom or gymnasium to training staff to better understand a student’s needs. It can even mean jumping in to fix wheelchairs or join students in a bounce house on field day.

“My motto is ‘Treat everyone right to the best of my abilities,’” Faunce-Estay said. “So even if I run into a mom at the grocery store, she’s going to know that I went above and beyond for her kid at school.”

That dedication extends to her fellow therapists. Faunce-Estay leans in as a mentor through encouraging words or action to make everyone else better. But at the end of the day, the students are what count for Faunce-Estay.

“I find joy in the progress but it’s not about me – it’s about that child,” she said. “I find more joy if they’re happy they got to participate or they have a smile on their face.”