Born and raised in the valley, Ms. Leighty is an avid learner and lover of dogs, math, and all things blue. She plays a mean round of Mario Kart and is passionate about disability inclusion in the classroom. As a public school math educator, she firmly believes that anyone can be a math person, and everyone is good at math- they just haven't found the flavor they like yet. Her background in garment construction gives her a keen eye for practical applications of geometry, algebra, and other math functions in the real world that aren't 23 watermelons at the grocery store.

Put simply, Ms. Leighty ardently believes that the foundation of all learning stems from relationships. Once students and teachers have a foundation of trust and respect, they can begin to learn from one another in all manner of things, not just math! From there, instruction can be tailored to best support students in not just their weak spots, but find the most meaningful methods of praise and celebration to communicate a job well done. Learning takes two, and like any other part of life where you have to work with another person, Ms. Leighty aims to teach communication and work skills through her math classes. Moreover, Ms. Leighty wants her students to know she cares, and the best way she can show that is through her actions in and outside the classroom. Even something as simple as a smile at the door can help someone feel seen, and Ms. Leighty wants her students to know they are safe, seen, and supported in her room.