Christine Leo has no desire to end her run. The upper elementary Blend+Ed teacher at McDeeds Creek, Christine is in her 47th year teaching elementary school. She’s been working at schools in Moore County for 18 years.
Originally from Pittsburgh, Christine started teaching locally after moving to the area with her husband, Tony Leo. While Tony came down to golf, his wife wasn’t interested in changing her routine.
“My husband retired,” Christine, who did her undergrad work at Bethany College in West Virginia, said. “I just wanted to keep on teaching.”
During her time at Southern Pines Elementary, she was named teacher of the year in 2011 and 2015.
At McDeeds Creek, Christine is in her second year teaching students who are also homeschooled. Overall, she has four groups – each containing 12 students from one of four grades (second through fifth) – that she teaches reading, math, science and social studies.
“And we do a lot of writing,” Christine said. “We squeeze a lot into two days. It’s been a busy year.”
The program is part of the district’s Connect Academy. Along with obtaining instruction at McDeeds Creek, the students get together away from the campus.
“One Friday per month, we have a family event,” Christine, the owner of a master’s degree in special education from West Virginia University, said. “That way, the families can network and meet each other.”
Students can also participate in extracurricular activities and events held at McDeeds Creek.
Working any job, no matter how many years are put in, can take a toll. With more than four decades in academics, Christine has an idea of what sparked her longevity.
“Patience – I have a lot of it,” she said. “I think that’s why I’ve lasted 47 years.”
Another key may be having interests outside the workplace. Christine, a mother of two and grandmother to two granddaughters, has several of them.
“I come home and read whatever historical fiction novel that’s on my nightstand,” she said. “Or I watch sports on TV.”
Coming from Pittsburgh, it’s no shock Christine follows the city’s storied NFL team.
“I’m a huge Steelers fan,” she said.
Additionally, she watches golf and games of Pittsburgh’s MLB franchise, the Pirates.
On a local level, Christine and Tony are avid supporters of teams at Pinecrest High School.
“We go to a lot of Pinecrest football and baseball games,” Christine said.
Though classes and instruction may end in early June, Christine, current president of the Moore County Reading Association, will reprise her role when school resumes for the fall.
“I like it,” she said. “I’m going back next year.”
For more information on Connect Academy, go to https://ca.ncmcs.org/blend__ed/k-5.
If you have a teacher you would like to nominate to be showcased in this series, please email [email protected].
Feature photo: Christine Leo. Contributed photo.
~Written by Sandhills Sentinel reporter Dave Lukow. Dave has been honored as both a lyricist and screenwriter. Among other publications he’s contributed to are the Buffalo News, JD Journal, Beckett Hockey, Seminole Player’s Life, Poker Pro, Walmart World, and All In.
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