Center for Elementary Mathematics and Science Education

Debbie Leslie is Associate Director for Direct Services at the University of Chicago's Center for Elementary Mathematics and Science Education (CEMSE). She provides professional development, coaching, and consultation to support the implementation of Everyday Mathematics and inquiry-based science curricula in the University of Chicago charter schools, the Chicago Public Schools, and elsewhere. She is also the Early Childhood Team Leader for the elementary component of UCSMP. In this capacity, she led the author team that developed the new version of Pre-Kindergarten Everyday Mathematics and the team that worked on the 3rd edition revisions for Kindergarten Everyday Mathematics. Leslie is also one of the authors of Science Companion, an inquiry-based elementary school science curriculum. At CEMSE, Leslie works on several projects that draw on her background in science and her interest in high-quality professional development in the areas of math, science, and early childhood education. Leslie taught Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, and First Grade for 10 years in Connecticut and in the Chicago area. She has also done work for the Bush Center for Child Development and Social Policy at Yale University, the Field Museum, and the Rochelle Lee Fund in Chicago, Illinois, and has done presentations, consulting, and professional development for several other educational organizations. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Molecular Biochemistry and Biophysics from Yale University and a Master's Degree in Teaching from the University of Chicago.