Leslie R. Stewart
Leslie grew up in Cheshire, Connecticut. Her father, Al Schiavone, graduated from Boston University and served in the United States Navy during WWII and Air Force ROTC. Leslie’s mom, Rosemary, entered the work force after graduation, where she remained into her eighties. Leslie’s parents instilled in her a love of reading, a belief in the value of education and a strong work ethic.
Leslie resides in Branford and is married to William Stewart, former Police Officer, volunteer fireman and retired telecommunications executive. She has two sons, Daniel, a well-respected tattoo artist living in Portland, Oregon and Ryan, a chef at Bridgeport Hospital. Leslie shares strong family ties with her mom, two sisters, Claudia Schiavone and Tracy Rams and their families, as well as her brother and sister-in-law, John and Barbara Stewart.
Leslie was educated in the Cheshire School System, whose teachers laid the foundation for her love of learning. She went on to earn her Bachelor of Science in English from Central Connecticut State University. After graduation, she worked in retail management before making the change to marketing service consultant at Southern New England Telephone.
Leslie put her career on hold to raise her son, Daniel. After volunteering in her son’s early classrooms, she found her calling. She became John B. Sliney’s first intern, earned her Master of Science in Elementary Education at the University of New Haven and became a teacher. She continues to give back by serving as a mentor to other interns.
Leslie attends numerous seminars choosing to learn from experts in her field. She uses her “summers off” to further hone her craft. She was a co-director with Frank Dormer, at Killam’s Point Summer Arts Camp, where she taught creative writing. Leslie was awarded a five-week fellowship from the Connecticut Writing Project, culminating in a research-based presentation on Literature Circles. Additionally, she attended science inquiry workshops at the Connecticut Science Center, always aspiring to pass the excitement of new knowledge onto students and colleagues.
Leslie was awarded the Connecticut State “Celebration of Excellence” Award for her presentation integrating science, literacy and technology. She furthered her growth in technology after her acceptance to a three-year writing and video-conferencing program at ACES. Leslie also trained in Responsive Classroom, a program in which she strongly believes.
Leslie has served on many District Committees, far too numerous to list, including the writing of curriculum in every content area. She was a member of several hiring committees as well as professional development and evaluation committees. She currently sits on the Math Textbook and Curriculum Committees.
Leslie brought her love of yoga into her classroom, after receiving a grant along with Kathryn Templeton from the Branford Education Foundation. She is a certified children’s yoga/mindfulness instructor. Currently, she teaches Joyful Children’s Yoga.
Leslie’s hope is that she instills in all her students a love of learning, a belief in their abilities and the confidence to meet life’s challenges.
Leslie resides in Branford and is married to William Stewart, former Police Officer, volunteer fireman and retired telecommunications executive. She has two sons, Daniel, a well-respected tattoo artist living in Portland, Oregon and Ryan, a chef at Bridgeport Hospital. Leslie shares strong family ties with her mom, two sisters, Claudia Schiavone and Tracy Rams and their families, as well as her brother and sister-in-law, John and Barbara Stewart.
Leslie was educated in the Cheshire School System, whose teachers laid the foundation for her love of learning. She went on to earn her Bachelor of Science in English from Central Connecticut State University. After graduation, she worked in retail management before making the change to marketing service consultant at Southern New England Telephone.
Leslie put her career on hold to raise her son, Daniel. After volunteering in her son’s early classrooms, she found her calling. She became John B. Sliney’s first intern, earned her Master of Science in Elementary Education at the University of New Haven and became a teacher. She continues to give back by serving as a mentor to other interns.
Leslie attends numerous seminars choosing to learn from experts in her field. She uses her “summers off” to further hone her craft. She was a co-director with Frank Dormer, at Killam’s Point Summer Arts Camp, where she taught creative writing. Leslie was awarded a five-week fellowship from the Connecticut Writing Project, culminating in a research-based presentation on Literature Circles. Additionally, she attended science inquiry workshops at the Connecticut Science Center, always aspiring to pass the excitement of new knowledge onto students and colleagues.
Leslie was awarded the Connecticut State “Celebration of Excellence” Award for her presentation integrating science, literacy and technology. She furthered her growth in technology after her acceptance to a three-year writing and video-conferencing program at ACES. Leslie also trained in Responsive Classroom, a program in which she strongly believes.
Leslie has served on many District Committees, far too numerous to list, including the writing of curriculum in every content area. She was a member of several hiring committees as well as professional development and evaluation committees. She currently sits on the Math Textbook and Curriculum Committees.
Leslie brought her love of yoga into her classroom, after receiving a grant along with Kathryn Templeton from the Branford Education Foundation. She is a certified children’s yoga/mindfulness instructor. Currently, she teaches Joyful Children’s Yoga.
Leslie’s hope is that she instills in all her students a love of learning, a belief in their abilities and the confidence to meet life’s challenges.