Grapevine-Colleyville ISD has announced Julie Martin Leslie as the new Director of Advanced Academics. Leslie is currently serving educators and professionals in the Metroplex as the founder of In Your Element Coaching & Consulting. Trustees approved the recommendation at the regular meeting on Monday, March 26.
"I have long admired the learning opportunities GCISD creates for gifted and high achieving students,” Leslie said. “I'm thrilled to be joining the GCISD team and simply cannot wait to meet everyone in the BEST district!"
Leslie has spent more than 20 years in education, beginning her career in Plano ISD as a middle school teacher in 1995. She then made the move to Frisco ISD where she established the Independent Study and Mentorship Program (ISM) and taught at Liberty High School. In 2010, Leslie moved out of the classroom and into an administrative role as the K-12 Coordinator for Gifted and Talented (GT) for Frisco ISD where she improved its gifted programs through new programming, innovative curriculum writing and professional learning. In 2015, she became the Secondary Coordinator for Gifted and Talented where she promoted GT, ISM, Advanced Placement and advanced academics in the community.
The search for an advanced academics director began when Becky Manning announced her retirement, effective at the end of the 2017-2018 school year.
“We are so excited to welcome Julie Leslie to our team,” said GCISD Superintendent Dr. Robin Ryan. “Our curriculum and instruction staff works hard to ensure our students are offered the best education and many opportunities throughout the district. I look forward to the continued successes of our ASPIRE Academy and GT offerings under Julie’s leadership. ”
Leslie graduated with a bachelor of secondary english education from Pennsylvania State University and a masters in secondary and higher education from Texas A&M University-Commerce. Leslie is currently pursuing a doctorate in educational leadership from Dallas Baptist University.
She will begin her new role with the district July 2018.