Every week at W.H. Burnett Early Childhood Center, the library fills with laughter, curiosity, and excitement as small feet shuffle in to experience the joy that reading brings. At the center of it all is Manuela Faulk—librarian, storyteller, relationship-builder, and one of the first educators many Terrell ISD students ever meet. For the past five years, Manuela has been a familiar, caring presence at Burnett, where she now serves as the Library Aide after beginning her journey as a Pre-K 3 aide.
Manuela’s path to education wasn’t traditional. A graduate of Rockwall High School, she first worked as a cosmetologist before discovering her passion for young children while working at Our Kids Tree House in Terrell. That experience changed everything. “I didn’t grow up wanting to be a teacher,” she says, “but working with young kids made me fall in love with the profession.”
In her role, Manuela works with every student in the building; and, in just a few short years, she has touched the lives of more than 1,700 children. Because every student visits the library for 45 minutes twice a week, she gets to know every single child in the building. She takes pride in knowing every child by name, believing that relationships are the foundation of learning. “The first few times they come to the library, I make it a point to memorize every child’s name,” she says. “I want them to know I care about them.”
Though she never considered herself an avid reader, Manuela has found her calling as a Pre-K librarian. With themed books, expressive voices, and playful storytelling, she makes learning fun without students even realizing it. “Coming to the library should be exciting,” she explains. “I want kids to want to come to school. And here at Burnett, that’s where it starts.”
Manuela is also investing in her own future. Currently attending Trinity Valley Community College, Manuela will graduate in December with her Associate of Arts in Teaching and plans to continue into the Bachelor’s program in Early Childhood Education through Terrell ISD’s Grow Your Own initiative—while remaining in the library she loves.
For Manuela Faulk, this age is magic.“This is where it starts,” Manuela says. “This is where we make the most important impression.” And every day at Burnett, she’s doing just that—bringing stories, and learning, to life.