ESOL

My name is Leixa and I am happily married and the proud mom of two amazing adult children, a daughter and a son, who are both college graduates now pursuing graduate studies in the fields of mental health and sports science. My husband is an avid social worker and a strong advocate for equality, and together we are committed to service, community, and lifelong learning.

Originally from Puerto Rico, I moved to the United States in my junior year of high school and graduated from Springfield Central High School as an English Language Learner myself. I went on to earn my B.A. in Special Education from both UMass-Amherst and the University of Puerto Rico, and later completed my Master’s in Education with a concentration in Dual Language, World Languages, and ESOL from Cambridge College.

Throughout my career, I have taught across elementary, middle, and high school levels, and each experience has enriched me as both an educator and a learner. My journey has been shaped by my own dedicated ESOL teachers—my heroes—who believed in me and gave me the tools to succeed. Their legacy inspires my work every day.

This year marks my 8th year at The Springfield Renaissance School, and I am truly honored to be part of this incredible community of visionaries and scholars. As the ESOL educator and department head, I work with extraordinary multilingual learners whose brilliance and resilience inspire me daily. My goal is to ensure that each student receives what they need to thrive—because I know from experience that “one size does not fit all.”

I am a firm believer that the more languages you know, the wiser you become and the more doors of opportunity open before you. My mission is to celebrate cultures, nurture identities, and empower my students to succeed academically, socially, and personally.

Quote:

"Cultures are the colors of humanity, languages are the keys to belonging, and together they weave the bridge that turns diversity into community."