Hello, I'm Leslie, but my current and former students know me better as Ms. Flores.
TEACHING IN NYC: What I Do & How I Do It
I am a New York City native, born and raised in the beautifully diverse borough of Queens. I hold a B.A. in psychology and sociology from Boston University, M.S.Ed. in Teaching Urban Adolescents with Disabilities from Long Island University - Brooklyn, and M.S in Science Education from Montana State University. I got my start in teaching thanks to the NYC Teaching Fellows (NYCTF) program. I consider myself a lifelong learner so I actively seek out ways to become a more knowledgeable and well-equipped teacher. I'm in the prestigious Math for America's master teacher fellowship for science (2023-2027) where I participate in workshops led by other master teachers and field experts. I was part of the Service in Schools 2017-18 and 2019-2020 Service Learning Institute and inaugural 2018 Teachers College EdTech Fellows program. In addition, I partner with WE Schools to gain access to service learning resources for my classes and Key Club International members. Currently, I work as a special education teacher at a NYC public high school, primarily teaching earth & space science in a self-contained (15:1) setting and provide special education teacher support services (SETSS). I previously taught living environment (biology), chemistry, English language arts, and college & career readiness.
BEFORE TEACHING: Why I Became a Teacher
Previous work with non-profits focused on education and/or youth inspired to pursue a career in education. Prior to teaching, I was the Program Coordinator for the K-7 After School Day Care program at the Samuel Field Y (now Commonpoint Queens). I was also a Future Corps Leader and Dream Director Apprentice for The Future Project, providing action-based coaching to high school students in Queens, assisting with school and citywide special events, and mentoring urban youth to pursue their passions. In June 2015, I completed a 10-month nonprofit apprenticeship and service term through Public Allies, an AmeriCorps program. As an AmeriCorps member, I served as a Program Fellow at Cool Culture where I managed the volunteer program, coordinated family events at various NYC museums for historically marginalized families with young children, and facilitated family engagement workshops in Harlem for the Adopt-A-Museum program in its inaugural year. Additionally, I interned and worked for Teachers College Reading & Writing Project where I assisted with professional development events for K-8 teachers focused on literacy. My approach to teaching is influenced by experiences with those jobs.
I am a New York City native, born and raised in the beautifully diverse borough of Queens. I hold a B.A. in psychology and sociology from Boston University, M.S.Ed. in Teaching Urban Adolescents with Disabilities from Long Island University - Brooklyn, and M.S in Science Education from Montana State University. I got my start in teaching thanks to the NYC Teaching Fellows (NYCTF) program. I consider myself a lifelong learner so I actively seek out ways to become a more knowledgeable and well-equipped teacher. I'm in the prestigious Math for America's master teacher fellowship for science (2023-2027) where I participate in workshops led by other master teachers and field experts. I was part of the Service in Schools 2017-18 and 2019-2020 Service Learning Institute and inaugural 2018 Teachers College EdTech Fellows program. In addition, I partner with WE Schools to gain access to service learning resources for my classes and Key Club International members. Currently, I work as a special education teacher at a NYC public high school, primarily teaching earth & space science in a self-contained (15:1) setting and provide special education teacher support services (SETSS). I previously taught living environment (biology), chemistry, English language arts, and college & career readiness.
BEFORE TEACHING: Why I Became a Teacher
Previous work with non-profits focused on education and/or youth inspired to pursue a career in education. Prior to teaching, I was the Program Coordinator for the K-7 After School Day Care program at the Samuel Field Y (now Commonpoint Queens). I was also a Future Corps Leader and Dream Director Apprentice for The Future Project, providing action-based coaching to high school students in Queens, assisting with school and citywide special events, and mentoring urban youth to pursue their passions. In June 2015, I completed a 10-month nonprofit apprenticeship and service term through Public Allies, an AmeriCorps program. As an AmeriCorps member, I served as a Program Fellow at Cool Culture where I managed the volunteer program, coordinated family events at various NYC museums for historically marginalized families with young children, and facilitated family engagement workshops in Harlem for the Adopt-A-Museum program in its inaugural year. Additionally, I interned and worked for Teachers College Reading & Writing Project where I assisted with professional development events for K-8 teachers focused on literacy. My approach to teaching is influenced by experiences with those jobs.
SERVICE & SOCIAL JUSTICE: Giving Back & Speaking Up
As an alumna of Alpha Phi Omega (APO), National Co-ed Service Fraternity, I volunteer as a staff member for Section 97 (Greater NYC area), primarily as the advisory chair of the chapter at St. John's University (Queens Campus) . I am a strong supporter of leadership development, service learning, inclusive education, and access to (higher) education. Furthermore, I partake in NYCoRE (New York Collective of Radical Educators) meetings, co-organize/lead New Teacher Underground (a NYCoRE working group) meetings, and social justice events whenever possible so I can connect with others who share my passion for making a positive impact in the community through education.
As an alumna of Alpha Phi Omega (APO), National Co-ed Service Fraternity, I volunteer as a staff member for Section 97 (Greater NYC area), primarily as the advisory chair of the chapter at St. John's University (Queens Campus) . I am a strong supporter of leadership development, service learning, inclusive education, and access to (higher) education. Furthermore, I partake in NYCoRE (New York Collective of Radical Educators) meetings, co-organize/lead New Teacher Underground (a NYCoRE working group) meetings, and social justice events whenever possible so I can connect with others who share my passion for making a positive impact in the community through education.