Milton's outstanding teachers
Leslie Read, Milton Elementary School

By NATHAN LAMB | Milton Independent Staff Writer
miltonreporter@yahoo.com

Leslie Read has been recognized by her peers as the school’s outstanding teacher, an annual award granted by UVM. Read, who a split 3rd and 4th grade classroom, was credited with a strong work ethic and unending patience in the nomination papers.

A summer job can lead to many things; in the case of Leslie Read, it led all the way to an outstanding teacher award at Milton Elementary School.

The award is granted through UVM to recipients that are nominated and chosen by teachers in schools across the state.

Read, who teaches a split classroom of third and fourth graders, said she was surprised with the award—but added her nine years in Milton have been uniformly satisfying

“It’s all been a very rewarding experience,” she said. “I’ve kind of made it my career plan to stay here and teach, so to be honored by the people I work with really meant a lot.”

Patience, respectfulness, and strong communication skills are the strengths listed in Read’s nomination papers. Having been Read’s supervisor for three years, principal
Jennifer Wood added professionalism, caring, and a knack for teaching to that list.

“She’s very dedicated to her craft,” she said. “To see her in the classroom, she’s just masterful; she teaches her students in a way that really inspires them.”

Read offered another perspective on what she aims to do in the classroom.

“What I hope to accomplish is to keep kids interested and motivated in learning and identify where they are… as a student and person in general,and help them move forward from there,” she said. “I want all my students to feel successful and positive about themselves.”

Born in Barton, but raised in Swanton, Read credits a summer job giving swim lessons through the Swanton Recreation Department for putting her on the path to a teaching career. She took that job as a junior in high school, and was promoted to organizing the program the following year. By that point, Read knew teaching was for her.

“It’s just the pride that went behind them figuring out something new and increasing their knowledge,” she said. “It’s just seeing the growth those kids had and being part of that.”

Prior to that experience, Read considered following in her father’s footsteps and becoming a police officer. Later, she leaned toward forensics, but the summer job put her on a linear path to education, which began in 1995 at St. Michael’s College, where she dual majored in psychology and elementary education. However, she did stay with the swim lessons through college. After graduating in 1999, Read came to Milton, where she’s planning to stay,

“It’s a wonderful school and community,” she said. “As a whole it’s very welcoming and the teachers you work with are very supportive.”

Wood credited Read with being a terrific support as well: She’s taken on the responsibility of being a technology instructor and gives other teachers pointers on how to better incorporate technology with learning. She’s also been trained as a teacher leader for the school’s formative assessment project, which is designed to help teachers refine classroom instruction toward student’s specific needs.

Basically, Read is the type of teacher that’s always working to improve her skills, and she’s always willing to share what she’s learned with colleagues, said teacher Stephanie Hurley, who has shared a classroom with Read numerous times over the past eight years.

“She’s very strong in all areas,” she said. “She’s pretty much the total package.”

Read confirmed that she prides herself on doing the best job she can, and said that being chosen out of a wide field of deserving candidates really meant a lot to her.

Past that, she described teaching as an intrinsically rewarding profession.

“My favorite part is watching the kids discover something new that they didn’t see or understand before, that kid of ah-ha moment that you see on their faces,” she said. “I think being a part of that process for them is huge and I really appreciate the chance to be part of that with them.”