Debbie Leslie

Debbie Leslie has been connected with UChicago STEM Education since 1992, when she worked on a longitudinal study of Everyday Mathematics while a graduate student at the University of Chicago. After spending 11 years as a classroom teacher, she returned to UC STEM Ed full time in 2004. At the Center, Debbie draws on her math and science background, as well as her interests and expertise in early childhood education, professional development, curriculum development, and organizational leadership to work on a wide range of projects. In recent years, Debbie’s work has included teaching math and science methods courses to pre-service teachers in the University of Chicago’s Urban Teacher Education Program, leading the Everyday Mathematics early childhood team for the 3rd and 4th editions, developing early childhood STEM curriculum materials and programs for teachers and families, collaborating with UChicago faculty on multiple research and development projects, and designing and leading several long-term partnerships with schools focused on improving mathematics teaching and learning school-wide. These partnerships have included support and mentoring for administrators and leadership teams, as well as coaching and other professional development for teachers. In partnership with colleagues at Erikson University and UChicago STEM Education, Debbie was part of the group that convened the Early Childhood STEM Working Group from 2014–16 and produced the Working Group’s Early STEM Matters report. She has also co-written published multiple chapters and articles on leadership for mathematics reforms in elementary schools and a chapter on innovations in elementary-school science curriculum development.

Debbie has a Bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biochemistry and Biophysics from Yale University, a Master of Science in Teaching from the University of Chicago, and is a part-time doctoral student in Educational Policy Studies at the University of Illinois at Chicago.