Hi! I'm Leslie, an elementary teacher with a passion for literacy instruction and advocacy. While I have taught first, second, and third grades, my most influential experience was gained during the 5 years I taught a reading class for children with dyslexia. My classroom instruction revolved around providing multisensory phonics instruction for students in kindergarten through 5th grade, and the knowledge I gained during that time has drastically shaped my priorities as an educator. Currently, I teach second grade, and I continue to prioritize multi-sensory phonics instruction in my classroom on a daily basis.

I am a National Board Certified Teacher in Literacy: Reading-Language Arts for Early and Middle Childhood.  Additionally, I have received training in the Orton-Gillingham approach through both, the Institute for Multisensory Education (IMSE) as well as Brainspring. I am also a LETRS-trained teacher. Currently, I am pursuing certification as a Dyslexia Specialist. The Tally Tales site is my creative outlet for sharing my experiences and lessons learned as an educator, as well as my instructional products.

Join me with a cup of coffee, and stay a while! I hope you will find my posts and products to be useful for you along your own educational journey. Thanks so much for visiting me here! 

2020-2021 MISSISSIPPI TEACHER OF THE YEAR