According to Leslie, the educational pathway for children must come to rest upon the principles of a functioning democracy. The values educators nurture in their classrooms should be ones that enable students to become sensitive and literate citizens. Leslie believes a good teacher has the insight and technique to unleash the academic and creative potential of her students, to celebrate their diversity yet nurture a sense of community within the group, and to connect these through gentleness, compassion and warmth. For Leslie, a classroom should be a place that will offer freedom to explore while providing sufficient structure to generate learning.
Leslie Black
Sylvania City, OH | Years Taught: 1967 – 2002
Additional Recognition
- 1994 • Recipient of the “1994 Distinguished Alumni Hall of Fame” presented by Sylvania City School, Sylvania, Ohio
- 1993 • “Tuscaloosa City School System’s Outstanding Educator Award” presented by University of Alabama chapter of Phi Delta Kappa
- 1993 • Recipient of “Women Committed to Excellence Award” sponsored by The Girl Scouts and AmSouth Bank of Tuscaloosa, AL
- 1993 • First recipient of “Golden Apple Award” presented by Alabama Power and WCF TV, Tuscaloose, AL
- 1992 • Alabama State Elementary Teacher of the Year
- 1992 • District winner of Alabama State Teacher of the Year
- 1992 • Tuscaloosa City Schools Teacher of the Year
- 1992 • Alabama Teacher’s Hall of Fame – Elementary division winner, sponsored by Jackson State University, Jackson, AL
- 1991 • Winner and elementary school teacher inductee, Alabama Teacher Hall of Fame
- 1991 • Nominee (One of three Alabama Elementary School finalists) for the “Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics Teaching” sponsored by the National Science Foundation