Since the first award was made in 1999, the Tibbie Leslie Fund has provided over $200,000 in travel grants to more than 100 local educators to bring their experiences and what they learn from around the world back to their Licking County classrooms. 

Support for these travel experiences for area educators was established by Elizabeth Randolph Leslie, known as “Tibbie,” a Newark, Ohio native and 1950 Newark High School graduate. After graduating from Miami University in 1954, Ms. Leslie taught physical education for 30 years. Every summer, she returned to Newark to visit her family, then left to travel with a group of other educators on trips to Europe, South America, China, or Africa. Her learning experiences on these trips were so wonderful that she decided to help others travel. Ms. Leslie died in 1995. She established the Tibbie Leslie Fund in the Licking County Foundation through her will. 

This fund awards stipends to Licking County educators who plan international travel to broaden their experience and knowledge in their particular field of interest. Applicants must include how they will incorporate their travel experiences into their classroom curriculum. 

Educators: Apply today for travel in 2023!

The 2023 Tibbie Leslie Travel Grant for Educators Application is now open! Click here to apply until March 22, 2023 at 5pm.

Check back in May 2023 for the 2024 Tibbie Leslie Travel Grant for Educators Application, open from May 2023- February 2024.