AQUINAS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Ribbon School of Excellence Committee Member
"To write well and speak well is mere vanity if one does not live well" - St. Bridget of Sweden
I am native to Northern Virginia, Lorton area. I have been a member of Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church all my life. I believe and support the mission of the Catholic Schools educational and faith-filled teachings. I serve as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion for St. Thomas Aquinas Regional School masses.
I received my Bachelors of Science in Special Education K-12 and General Education from Duquesne University in 1991. I earned a Master's degree in Counseling and Development from George Mason University in 1996. I worked in Fairfax County Public Schools, high school and elementary levels in the Special Education field. I tutored children for 20 years and worked with many different ages and abilities. In 2003-2005, I was the part-time Resource Teacher as Saint Thomas Aquinas Regional School. Aside from providing academic support to my students, I represented identified students for Special Education services at their base schools. I educated parents and worked with the county schools in order to obtain educational testing, IEP's, 504 Plans and ultimately educational services. During my time at Aquinas, I had a wonderful opportunity to become trained as an Irlen Screener. I have since become a Senior Irlen Screener. I look forward to educating parents and staff about this syndrome. After having twins, I returned to being a stay at home mom. During that time at home, I received an endorsement certificate in Autism through James Madison University. Upon returning to work, I became one of the Options teachers at Saint John Paul the Great Catholic High School for 3 years. Currently, I am the Resource Teacher at Aquinas, happy to be with amazing faith filled community of teachers, staff, parents and students.
"Being a part of the Aquinas community for 40 years has been a gift. Witnessing my students grow in their faith and education has been a blessing. I have even had the privilege of teaching some of my student's children! It is so fulfilling that I am able to use my talents and skills to teach young children. Every day is a new opportunity to make even the smallest difference in the lives of my students and their families. I love promoting and supporting school spirit and fundraisers throughout the community. My former students have nicknamed me "Lucky Leckey" for all the classroom competition victories enjoyed throughout the years.
Job Titles:
- Asst. Principal / Athletic Director
In 1988 I taught first grade at Aquinas with Mrs. Leckey! Today I am blessed to be back again; this time, as a Resource Teacher with Mrs. Spadafore and Mrs. Collins.
As a Navy dependent, I lived in several states, mostly on the west coast and in the Pacific Northwest. I attended Seattle University, a Jesuit school where I received degrees in English and in Education. I took my Master's in Education Leadership at George Mason University, and later taught Reading and Writing for K-12 teachers at GMU. I have taught all grades except for Kindergarten, and I loved them all.
The Benjamin boys, four of my 13 grandchildren, attend Aquinas and my daughter, Mrs. Katie Benjamin, teaches Kindergarten here. My eldest daughter, Kelley, homeschools her 8 children, and my youngest daughter, Keri, substitutes as a school nurse here. Her son, Colby, attended Aquinas as well.
I love flowers, the mountains and the beach, reading (I belong to two book clubs), gardening, boating, decorating for the seasons, and traveling in our new motorhome. I also love teaching and It is a blessing to be here!