Leigh Majer

I am a Canadian girl who never thought I would not live in Canada, however after graduating with a degree in Philosophy, Psychology and Education, I decided to go an travel before starting my teaching career. That decision shaped my future in many ways. I went to work on a cruise ship, met my future husband (I was working with kids on the ship and he was a jazz musician) and after traveling we ended up moving to Texas for him to pursue a jazz degree from UNT. Over the years I have taught K-6 music (for the first 7 years of my career) and then when we moved from DFW to Laredo I transitioned to a classroom teacher. We have lived in 8 different cities over the past 20+ years and during that time I have taught K, 1, 2, 6 - both in public schools and most recently in the IB world. For 4 years while living in Germany I taught at Bonn International School (and IB school) and now I am teaching in NYC in the Financial District at another IB school. I love this system:)

I love to incorporate music, movement and technology into my daily teaching. I often joke that by 9am each day the kids and I have put on a broadway show with all of our songs and dances to teach our calendar and letter concepts. I also use a great deal of technology to both augment our group learning and provide opportunities for students to engage in small group and individual practice. I have high standards for both myself and my students. We work hard and have fun doing it! I believe that a caring community coupled with a high level of respect is essential for us to reach and exceed our goals. My kids and I work hard at establishing and maintaining that community in our classroom.

2017 -present - Seesaw Ambassador 2014-present - Smart Exemplary Educator 2011 Campus Teacher of the Year, Birdville ISD 2009 Creator/Director of School Wide "Lunch Buddy" teacher volunteer program in Niles Michigan. Through this program teachers mentor at risk students once or twice a month, building relationships and becoming role models to children from different grades on campus. 2001 Trustee's Merit Award, Keller ISD 2001 Abitii Recycling Award Winner, Keller ISD 2001 Creator/Director of School Wide "Disability Awareness Day" 2000 Teacher of the Year, Keller ISD 2000 Classroom Innovation Award Recipient, Keller ISD

I hold a Bachelor's Degree in Philosophy with a Minor in Child Pyschology from Wilfrid Laurier University in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. I also have a Bachelor's Degree in Education from the University of Windsor in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. I love to learn and am always signing up for additional learning opportunities; I have recently become a Seesaw Ambassador and am also a Smart Exemplary Educator.

I love any opportunity to be creative - whether it be playing the piano, scrapbooking, designing cards, creating elaborate doodles on scraps of paper, you name it! I also love to travel, ride my bike, go for long walks, and generally be outdoors! I have been blessed with great friends in my life and I love spending time hanging out with them enjoy the simple things in life!