Lesa grew up most of her life in Illinois but after HS graduation moved to Missouri. It was there at her church where she met a deaf couple and her interest in Deafness and ASL was ignited. Lesa would watch their daughter interpret for them at church and quickly became friends with the family. She learned sign from them and their daughter and decided that upon graduating from community college, she wanted to become a Deaf Ed teacher. That is just what Lesa did.
Lesa attended Northern Illinois University, the same university as fellow OSD retiree Candy Tumblson and former OSD teacher, Rebecca Gaw. It was there where Lesa obtained her bachelor's degree in Deaf Education and an Early Childhood certification.
After graduating, Lesa applied to every deaf school in the country with warm weather. Growing up in Illinois, she was constantly surrounded by snow and wanted a change in climate. Lesa interviewed at a few different schools but ultimately ended up at OSD.
“I knew I wanted to be in a Deaf school because I wanted the atmosphere, culture, and all that came with being in a Deaf school. This is always where I wanted to be.”
Lesa started her teaching career here at OSD 30 years ago and credits OSD to having been her ‘home’. She started off in high school teaching a variety of subjects such as reading, civics, geography, and also taught ASL at Sulphur Public Schools for 5 years.
After being in high school for a few years Lesa was looking for a change and decided to move down to elementary. She ended up staying there for the next 20 years. In that time Lesa taught T-1 and 1st grade, but 2nd grade is where she stayed the longest.
Towards the end of Lesa’s 20 years in elementary, she knew that Sue Galloway, the school librarian, was planning to retire. Lesa thought it would be a perfect fit. She loves reading, loves the library, and thought the change would be a good way to close out her career. It has been just that, and it has as Lesa has been OSD’s librarian for the past 5 years.
One of Lesa’s favorite parts of working here at OSD was watching the kids experience a lightbulb moment. She said that seeing that was something that always made her feel good.
“I think this is just what I was supposed to do.”
Now that Lesa is planning to retire, she is beginning a new journey. She plans to do whatever she likes as new things come her way, but first she looks forward to taking the summer to travel with her husband, Andy.
She is excited to find her next adventure while spending time with friends, and her parents who have moved to Oklahoma.
Although leaving is bittersweet, we are excited to see what is next for Lesa. We thank her for all she has done for OSD through the years and we wish her the best of luck in her endeavors.
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