Enriching Our Students
With the enhancement of The Christ School’s Enrichment program, we are pleased to welcome Enrichment teacher, Dr. Leah Lerma. “I love having the opportunity to develop a curriculum that is tailored toward this special group of students and their unique learning needs,” says Leah. “The enrichment classes at TCS incorporate project-based learning to explore a variety of topics. The projects and daily activities encourage critical thinking, team work, and presentation skills. The students have spent the first quarter learning about pollinators. This week, we are excited to have a beekeeper come to our classroom so the students can learn first-hand from a professional in the field.”
Leah, who was born in Ft. Lauderdale, earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Linguistics from the University of Florida. She earned her doctorate degree in Education from UCF. “After I graduated with my Master’s degree, I moved to Orlando and worked with Orange County Public Schools as a 7th grade language arts teacher for five years. I then served as an elementary and middle school teacher with Florida Virtual School. Currently, I am also an adjunct instructor with the College of Education at Grand Canyon University.”
“I’ve always had a passion for helping others,” says Leah. “My involvement in student government in high school ignited my passion for volunteering and serving the community, so choosing a career in education came easy to me. I love watching the progress my students make, and it always excites me to think about how I can develop a lesson that my students will be enthusiastic about. While I was teaching at Avalon Middle School, I was given the opportunity to design and implement a school-wide reading program. Having this opportunity inspired my passion for curriculum development, and that is when I began working on my doctorate degree. Designing curriculum and making the learning experience exciting and meaningful for the students is very rewarding.”
Leah and her husband, Nelson, have two children. “Our daughter, Mia, is in Kindergarten at TCS, and our son, Bennett, is a little lion in training at The Weekday School. We also have a yorkie named Bailey who is turning 12 this month,” she says.
“TCS is such a special place to be,” says Leah. “I feel blessed to be surrounded by staff members who truly care and students who are eager to learn. It’s a privilege to teach at the same school my children attend, and running into them throughout the day definitely puts a smile on our faces! I am very happy that our daughter is part of a community that encourages kindness. I love that TCS teaches the students to love one another and to serve the community. This lays such wonderful foundation in strengthening their relationship with Christ.”
Leah shares her favorite Bible verse: Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. – Thessalonians 5:16-18