2009 TIBBIE LESLIE TRAVEL GRANTS

These teachers were selected for their commitment to broadening the knowledge of Licking County students by bringing the world home to their classrooms through foreign travel experiences in the true spirit of the award’s donor, Tibbie Leslie, who traveled the world throughout her 30-year teaching career.  Each of the following teachers received a $2,000 travel grant: 

Amy Shuppe, Watkins Middle School – for travel to Ireland

Jessica Partridge, Watkins Middle School – for travel to Peru

Sherri McCaul, Granville Elementary School – for travel to Turkey

Melody Spencer, Watkins Memorial High School – for travel to Dominica

Rebecca Evans, Granville Intermediate School – for travel to France

Elizabeth Randolph Leslie, known as Tibbie, was raised in Newark, Ohio.  She graduated from Newark High School in 1950 and from Miami University in 1954.  Ms. Leslie taught physical education at Withrow High School in Cincinnati for 30 years.  Every summer, she returned to Newark to visit her family then left for a trip abroad.  She traveled extensively with a group of educators; going to Europe, South America, China, Africa, and many other exotic places.  Her learning experiences on these trips were so meaningful that she decided to help other teachers travel.  Ms. Leslie died in 1995.  She established the Tibbie Leslie Fund in the Licking County Foundation through her will.