Leslie Calabrese (@ ProfesorLCG) | #BowTieTuesday
Introduction: This week’s #BowTieTuesday Educator Spotlight goes to an educator that I’ve gotten to know quite well over the past few years as we have both served as class advisors within New Brunswick High School. The Edu-Rock Star that I’ll be recognizing this week is none other than Ms. Leslie Calabrese (@ProfesorLCG), a high school special education teacher at New Brunswick High School by day, part-time lecturer at the Graduate School of Education at Rutgers University by night, and in all of her free time, a board certified behavior analyst.
Educational Pursuit: Leslie is slowly approaching the two-decade milestone in education after obtaining her bachelor’s degree from Douglass College of Rutgers University, master’s degree in special education from New Jersey City University and certification in applied behavior analysis from Rutgers University. Many, many moons ago, during her misspent youth in the 80s, Leslie did not like school. She didn’t like her teachers either. She never felt as though they understood what it meant to be a teen and they never tried to meet her where she was emotionally. When she fell into teaching via the Alternate Route, she was determined to be the teacher that she needed in her youth. Since then it has been her goal to be the teacher that reaches the heart and teaches the mind. She educates the whole student.
Most Memorable Moment: Being the senior class advisor, Leslie is still riding high from the prom of the century. While she feels like should the prom is her most memorable moment, it really is when students tell her they are inspired to become a teacher because of her and they also hope to be a teacher just like her (as opposed to the teachers she had of whom she wanted to be just the opposite).
Personal Learning Interests: Being a BCBA, Leslie is interested in learning about how having the mindset of a BCBA can shape a whole school for the better.
The Fun Stuff
Leslie’s go-to Karaoke Song: Leslie doesn’t partake in karaoke. I vow to change this.
Leslie’s Inside Scoop: She is a roller derby player on soft retirement right now. The window is always open to return may go back one day.
Thank you, Leslie, for your heartfelt efforts to improve education each and every day you step foot inside New Brunswick High School. Years and years of navigating the advisor terrain together have cultivated the friendship we have nowadays and the positive impact you have had on my PLN! I truly appreciate all that you do to keep moving education forward.
Thanks for reading and sharing!
Bow-Tie Joe
