Middle School Grades 6-8
Hello! I'm Ms. Leah and I am so excited to be teaching 6/7 ELA and social studies this school year. Reading and writing have always been a passion of mine. To start, teaching is my second career. I graduated from Drake University in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in communications. For a number of years, I managed development and marketing for an outdoor education program in Jefferson County, CO. However, after working with schools, volunteering in my own children's classrooms, and homeschooling for a year I realized my passion for teaching couldn't be ignored. I received my teaching license in 2022, and I am currently completing my Master's in Teaching and Learning at CSU Global. This will be my third year working at The Juniper School and my second year as a classroom teacher. Here are a couple quick facts about me:
- Favorite books: Most of Barbara Kingsolver's books, The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russel, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austin, and A Psalm for the Wild Built by Becky Chambers (My favorite books in middle school were The Chronicles of Narnia series.)
- Favorite musician: Chris Stapleton
- Favorite treat: Oreos
- Favorite activities: Running, hiking, paddle boarding, and just hanging at the lake
- Favorite people: My family! My husband Sean and our kids Wyatt and Lydia
- Favorite animal: My dog Sarge :-)
BS Plant Biology, Minor Earth and Atmospheric Science; Georgia Tech
MBA, Entrepreneurship–University of Colorado, I ran my own landscape design/install business for 10 years before I was a teacher, my specialty was “The Lawn Free Front Yard”
Teaching 16 years, the last 4 at The Juniper School!
FAST FACTS
5th Generation Colorado Native (my kids are 6th generation!)
There is a town in Colorado Named after my family--My family cemetery is there!
Loves To: Backpack, Fly Fish, Paddle Board, Ski, do Crossfit and Hang with the FAM!
Favorite People: Matt, Adaira and Boden :) My Family
Favorite Movie: The Princess Bride OR Guardians of the Galaxy
Favorite Book: The Angle of Repose (but I read Project Hail Mary this summer and it is a contender)
Favorite Band: Willie Nelson or Pearl Jam
Favorite Food: Matt’s Tenderloin Steaks
Favorite Subject: Math
Favorite Tree: The Game of Thrones Tree in the Giant Forest, Sequoia National Park
(this is a tree that is actually the Jefferson Tree, but Boden and I renamed it)
Favorite Animal: Hummingbird