My name is Leslie J. Badger. I am a native of Orangeburg, South Carolina and the daughter of two retired school administrators. Prior to coming to Springdale Park in August 2010, I taught at Beecher Hills Elementary and Venetian Hills Elementary School in Atlanta Public Schools. Before then, I taught in Dekalb County and Norfolk, Virginia. I am entering my 15th year of teaching. I have taught 1st through 4th grades:  7 years of Kindergarten, 2 years of 1st grade,  1 year of 2nd grade and 4th grade, and 3 years of 3rd grade, respectfully.

     I hold a Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communications (General Broadcast) and a Master of Arts in Teaching in Early Childhood Education from Norfolk State University (Norfolk, Va.). I have earned a Specialist degree in Teacher Leadership from Walden University (Minneapolis, Mn.) Additionally, I earned my Reading Endorsement through the Continuing Education Department in Atlanta Public Schools.  

     During my personal time, I enjoy physical fitness training, reading, writing, knitting, listening to music, traveling and acting silly with my son, Israel and our newly adopted Boxer pups Bruno and Mars. Along with becoming a teacher, I have always had a lifelong aspiration to become a New York Times Best-Selling Author. I am currently working on my first fantasy children’s novel that I hope to share with my students soon.

     It is an honor to serve as your child's 4th grade Social Studies teacher this school year.