Leslie has worked in the field of early care and education for more than 30 years. Her awe and appreciation for children and their unique developmental journeys began as an undergraduate student and has continued unabated ever since. As a teacher-educator, presenter and consultant she is committed to ‘leading side-by- side’ with educators, students, service providers and families, as they give voice and life to their aspirations for children and childhood through values driven, reflective, intentional and responsive practices.  Leslie has taught infants, toddlers, preschoolers and university students. She recently transitioned from many years of service as Director of University of California at Santa Barbara’s highly regarded Early Childhood Care and Education Services. She is an active member of Santa Barbara County Child Care Planning Council and related advisory committees working for systems change and workforce development.
B.A. Psychology Stanford University
M.A. Early Childhood Education University of California Santa Barbara
Continuing education in Human Resources and Mediation

Presentations & Professional Learning Workshops
(a sample): 
California Association for the Education of Young Children
National Association for the Education of Young Children Annual Conference
National Association for the Education of Young Children Professional Learning Institute
Santa Barbara County Child Care Planning Council Leadership Series
University of California at Irvine Child Care Services
Zero to Three Annual Conference

Courses Taught:
ECE Adult Supervision & Professional Development
ECE Administration
Child, Family & Community
Infant and Toddler Care and Development
Infant and Toddler Learning and Assessment
Seminar and Practicum in Early Childhood Education

Professional Experience:
Director, UCSB Early Childhood Care & Education Services
Preschool Program Coordinator
Toddler Lead Teacher​​​​​​​
Preschool Lead Teacher
Administrative Consultation
CLASS and ERS Observation and assessment

Certifications, Training and Familiarity with:
California Child Development Director Permit
CLASS Preschool Observation & Infant/Toddler Reliable Observer 
NAEYC Accreditation Validator (former)
PAS, ECERS, ITERS, FCCERS

Professional Memberships and Involvement
National Association for the Education of Young Children (Member)
Pacific Coast for the Education of Young Children (former Board Member)
Mentor Teacher and Director Selection Committee (former member)
Santa Barbara City College Early Childhood Education Department Advisory Committee (former Member)
​​​​​​​Santa Barbara County Child Care​​​​​​​ Planning Council Workforce Development (Committee Member)
Santa Barbara County Quality Counts Consortium (Member)
​​​​​​​Zero to Three (member)