Naples teacher marks 40 years of inspiring students at Fun Time Academy

NAPLES, Fla. —

For 40 years, Cester Williams has been a dedicated preschool teacher at Fun Time Early Childhood Academy in Naples, leaving a lasting impact on children, families, and fellow educators.

Fun Time Early Childhood Academy was founded in 1961 in the River Park community of downtown Naples to address the lack of preschool options for children of color. "Fun Time started back in 1961. It started in the River Park community and downtown Naples because there was no preschool for children of color at the time. So, a preschool was opened by Mother Mae Perry and the Cambridge family for children of color, for working families," said Christen Krembs, the Chief Executive Officer of Fun Time Early Childhood Academy.

This year, the academy is celebrating 65 years of service to the Collier County community. "Preschool is very expensive. And, you know, we want to make sure that they're not having to choose between staying home and providing for their family," Krembs said.

Since its founding, Fun Time has grown to include four campuses in the Naples area, serving more than 300 children and helping parents avoid difficult decisions about childcare. "Just name a service worker and an essential worker, and they come to Fun Time, and we truly make it affordable. We meet them where they are with what they're able to afford, and they don't have to sacrifice," Krembs said.

Amid the academy's growth, Williams has remained a constant presence. "I always loved kids. I always had a passion for kids," Williams said. She currently teaches 3-year-olds and shared that her favorite part of the day is the morning routine.

Williams' influence extends beyond her classroom, as she mentors other teachers across the academy's campuses. "Everybody knows who she is. And she trains our teachers. We send teachers here from other locations to come and learn from her. We send her to other locations to spend the day with them and, you know, come up with ways that she can help them. And she just has that heart and that passion," Krembs said.

Her dedication has created meaningful connections with former students. "Yeah. I had a girl who came back to see me. Her mom brought her here. She said, 'You have no idea the way you touch my life,'" Williams said.

Krembs added, "People come through this door all the time just to keep up with Mrs. Cester. But to know that she had that type of an impact before they even hit kindergarten, I mean, it's so powerful to know that's what she did."

Reflecting on her four decades at Fun Time, Williams said her joy comes from the children she teaches. "It was the children. It was the way the faces lit up when they finally understood something they had been struggling with. Knowing that I wasn't just doing the job. I was shaping lives. I was giving children a safe place, a steady presence, a person who believed in them. And even when they didn't believe in themselves," she said.

As Williams looks ahead, she has no plans to step away from her passion for teaching.

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