About Mrs. Ledford

Hello and welcome to the 2019-2020 school year. I am proud to be a member of the LFCS family and look forward to the year ahead.

My greatest accomplishment so far has been to raise two bright, honorable young men who have grown into respectful and responsible adults. Adding two exceptional stepsons along the journey has only deepened my conviction of the importance of family and education as the two core elements in healthy human development. In the past two years, I been blessed with the addition of two beautiful "daughters" and two grandsons, with more to come in the future! I often reflect on how, if I had been a teacher before becoming a parent, I may have been a better parent. On the other hand, I know for a fact that having been a mother and raising two (plus two) adolescents before starting college and beginning my career, has helped to make me a more effective, empathetic teacher. Professionally, I hold a Multiple Subject Elementary Credential along with a Supplemental Authorization to teach English. I earned both a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies and Master of Education in Cross-cultural Teaching degrees from National University in San Diego.

While this is my fifth year as part of the Literacy First Charter School family, my 20 years of teaching experience is quite broad. I was born and raised right here in San Diego's East County, but lived in Colorado from 2008-2015. Before returning to San Diego during the summer of 2015, I completed six years teaching at an alternative charter high school in Southwest Colorado. Our school was created using the Outward Bound model of hands-on, experiential, expeditionary-based education. As a San Diego native, this opportunity presented both challenges and adventures I could have never imagined. I have coached students through their senior portfolio presentations which was the final assessment in their high school education, and advised students through personal and professional decision making processes as they faced the post-high school world. In my early days of teaching, I helped to instill in first grade students the foundations of primary education and helped to prepare them for a deeper understanding of their Christian faith and responsibilities. I have spent five days white water rafting on the San Juan River. The rain forest of northern Thailand provided me with the opportunity to zip line through some of the most breathtaking jungles in the world and even a chance to cavort with gibbons. Exciting as all that may be, my greatest pleasure is just spending time with my family, whether camping or at home around the table.

My experiences are varied, and I feel the best years of my life are ahead of me as I continue the Literacy First adventure with your children. Please know that my mission is to become your partner through this year of your child's education. Questions and concerns are welcome and I invite you to volunteer in our class as we embark on this next adventure.

"Not all of us can do great things. But we can all do small things with great love." Mother Teresa