Cora Thomas Elementary School is named for a woman that dedicated her life to the children of our community. Her professional contributions and personal life stand as examples to all those who call themselves educators.
Growing up on the George Ranch, Cora Charles Morris Thomas began her long career in education at the old Crabb Elementary School, which she attended until third grade. She then transferred to A.W. Jackson Elementary School in Rosenberg and graduated from Jackson High School in 1959.
While at Jackson, she enjoyed being score keeper for the girls’ basketball team and playing the clarinet in the band.
Cora continued her education at Texas Southern University and graduated with a degree in Elementary Education in 1966. She completed her master’s degree, also from Texas Southern, in 1970.
Thomas began her teaching career in Lamar CISD at Jackson Elementary in 1966. She transferred to Deaf Smith Elementary School in Richmond in 1970 and taught at Smith until her retirement in 2004.
Thomas passed away shortly after her retirement. She worked for the Lamar Consolidated Independent School District for 38 years and was the longest tenured elementary teacher at the time of her death.
Thomas considered teaching a joy and a blessing. She enjoyed preparing for each day and felt it was another opportunity to help prepare her students with life skills. She was aware of the individual differences in her students and encouraged them to reach their highest potentials. She loved her students dearly and was proud of all of them.
Thomas also worded with the San Jacinto Girl Scouts for 13 years, helping mold the character of many young girls as she traveled throughout the United States, Mexico, and the Caribbean as a troop leader.
A plaque presented to Thomas at her retirement carried this inscription: “38 years of touching the hearts and minds of countless children, and for her dedication to the students of Deaf Smith Elementary in Lamar CISD.” It is with Mrs. Thomas’ commitment to excellence that we here at Cora Thomas Elementary meet the needs of educating our students each day.