Welcome to WatchMonkeyMama!
I am Lesley. It is with great excitement that I hope to connect with you on an array of topics that touch on motherhood, education, homeschooling, and life in general.
Joyously married to my husband Randy for fourteen years, we have had our share of life’s ups and downs. Five miscarriages brought tears and heartache, but our faith and love grew even stronger. After nine years, our prayers were answered the day Sammy was born.
I feel like life has come full circle with my blog. I have always loved writing and believe that it takes only one teacher to truly make a difference in one’s life. I’ve been fortunate to have had several but one who stands out is my middle school English teacher. Her positive and encouraging remarks that I anticipated reading on my written assignments served as confirmation of my communication skills and passion. She often went the extra mile with her verbal feedback and praise. I knew then that I wanted to be a writer.
In college, I majored in Broadcast Journalism with aspirations of becoming a television news reporter and anchor. But as life often does — it took unexpected turns. After interning at a television news station, being promoted to news desk assistant, graduating college, and working a total of three different jobs, it all became too taxing. I moved back home with my family in Brooklyn, New York.
On a weekly basis, I continued sending my newsreels to small market television stations. And I waited. Repeated rejection came in the mail. I was so committed to this career dream that I even gave up a special church/family trip to Morocco as I awaited what I thought would be a promising job offer. That also fell through.
Well, fast forward … I never got a job as a news reporter. I did, however, welcome the suggestion of my sorority sister to try substitute teaching in the interim. After completing all essential steps, on a sunny winter morning in February 1989, I walked into an elementary school for the very first time as a substitute teacher. On my very first day, a tumultuous fight broke out with some of the children in the upper elementary class to which I was assigned. As I rushed in to break it up, fortunately a teacher came to my aid. Minutes later, when I looked down I noticed my shoe had been ripped during the scuffle. The very next day, I was even more determined to give my best to the children as I went back to sub. I truly enjoyed the children. I felt a new spark within myself and welcomed the reality of every day being different (minus fights of course).
After a couple months passed, the assistant principal called me into her office and asked if I’d consider taking over a kindergarten class while the teacher went on maternity leave. I jumped at the opportunity! It was in that kindergarten class, located in the basement of a traditional public school, with beautifully diverse children eager to learn and parents entrusting me to educate, that I fell in love with teaching!
At the close of the school year, and after heeding the best career advice ever gained from my phenomenal mother, I enrolled in graduate school in the field of education. Through invigorating course lectures, stimulating class discussions, and hands-on field experiences, I was introduced to and immersed in “progressive education”. Over the next fifteen years, I was fortunate to earn three Master degrees in Education. I also served in amazing roles as teacher, literacy coach, assistant principal, principal, assistant superintendent, and adjunct professor. I learned and grew from working in diverse communities in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Bronx, New York, Hoboken, New Jersey, Cleveland, Ohio and throughout Indiana. And now, I feel like life has come full circle as I am blessed to be an exhilarated, stay-at-home mom, homeschooler, part time advocate for foster youth in college, and a blogger!
I have lots to blog about and I hope to bring encouragement to many. My favorite children’s book is Dr. Seuss’ Oh, The Places You’ll Go. And one of my favorite parts is where everyone is “waiting”. Whenever I read that part to my students and my son, I always read it with hopes and dreams for my son Sammy, other children, college students, and even myself.
Like all of us … Aren’t we waiting for things to happen in our lives, too?
… I waited for a job as a news reporter which never came, but I was introduced to a world of teaching and fell in love with my calling!
… I waited for my knight in shining armor to arrive. I stood by watching girlfriends get married and have children hoping and praying I’d be next. I was a bridesmaid/maid-of-honor/matron-of-honor in at least 13 weddings (maybe more), and I attended about 100 weddings. No exaggeration here. Well, like many in today’s world, I met my wonderful husband in 2004 via today’s quite popular internet dating. Two years later, at the age of 40, I walked down the aisle!
… We waited nine years for our baby. We experienced five miscarriages and then God Blessed us with our son Sammy!
… Born seven weeks early, we began to wait again as our baby faced a difficult journey for the first three and one half years of his life.
I have come to learn that as hard as it is to deal with the heartaches that accompany waiting, in the end, it is truly worth every step traveling the journey.
So … Welcome to my blog!!
One final piece … Perhaps you’re wondering: “What’s up with the name WatchMonkeyMama”? Well, when Sammy turned “The Big 1”, we gave him a stuffed “lovie” monkey which my loving sister Beth named “WatchMonkey”. While Sammy slept, WatchMonkey would watch over him. Nearly four years later, to say these two are inseparable is an understatement. Sammy and WatchMonkey have had so many exciting adventures!
… Quite naturally, I became WatchMonkeyMama! And now, I am elated to share our journey with all of you.
Thank you!
Lesley,
Congratulations on launching your Blog!
Your family is Beautiful! Sammy is so Blessed to have a mom like you and a dad like Randy!
I LOVED reading your personal story and cannot wait to read more of your blogs!
Keep them coming!
Thank you so much for your kind words Gloria and Welcome to the WatchMonkeyMama Community! I enjoyed sharing our family’s story and hope that it and future blogs are of inspiration to you and others.
Congratulations Lesley! I am so happy for you and pleased that the creativity and brilliance you have will now be shared with a global audience. Much love!
Thank you Lynne! Wow! I truly appreciate the compliments and your vision for WatchMonkeyMama. I am excited about this new journey and appreciate your love and support!
Congrats on the launch of your new baby 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Thank you so much Deborah! I truly appreciate you!
I know I’m going to really love reading your blogs! So very excited for you! ❤️
That means a lot to me Devonne! Thank you so much!
Lesley: You are a light in darkness. I am so proud of you and so glad you continue to be LD. You were the inspiration for my daughter, one of your students, who is a teacher now. My family and I will never forget how you encouraged her during the “wonder years “. Please know it is wonderful that you pour out your wisdom ,love and experience in this format. It is so needed. May God continue to bless you and your family. Much love!
Wow! I am speechless Diane. Thank you for your generosity. You already know how much I adore your daughter and was honored to be her teacher. She was a scholar in my class. Her students are blessed to have her as their teacher! I am so proud of her! Diane, I shall never forget the selflessness of your family. We experienced 9/11 together and I learned so much from observing your family unit. And now WatchMonkeyMama… I am so excited to share my experiences with others to encourage them. And I am just as thrilled to learn from them as well. God Bless you all too! Sending love always! L-D
This is so exciting Lesley!! I can’t wait to read all the wonderful advice and experiences from not only my friend, adopted sister, and most importantly the best mentor I’ve ever had.
WatchMonkeyMama you are shining brightly again. Love you.
Thank you my dear friend and sister! I am humbled by your words and have learned so much from you as well. We experienced great things together as colleagues which I hope to share through WatchMonkeyMama. Love you!
Lesley, congratulations on starting this new venture. I am looking forward to reading your future blog posts.
Thank you Lori! I truly appreciate your support princiPAL!
Congratulations Leslie!
I look forward to your blog. I know that you will bring joy and excitement to your followers as we WatchMonkeyMama”
Thank you Karen and welcome to The WatchMonkeyMama Community! I truly appreciate your kind words and best wishes.
Congratulations on your new new adventure. You are awesome and inspiring. I look forward to reading your blogs!
Thank you so much Stacey! I truly appreciate your well wishes and interest in reading my blogs!
I’ve been looking for this announcement and praying all was going well in developing it. So happy and looking foeard to watching. Congratulations and God Bless 💙🙏🏿
Thank you Portia! It’ll continue to develop as I go (always a work-in-progress right?) but I’m so glad that it’s off the ground. Welcome to WatchMonkeyMama and thank you in advance for reading! God Bless!
Congratulations Lesley!!!! You are embarking on an awesome journey that will take you and your readers to new heights!!!! I’m looking forward to your next blog!!! Blessings!!!💕
Wow! Thank you LaVerne! I truly appreciate your vision of WatchMonkeyMama and the impact I hope it has! Thank you for reading and looking forward to my next blog! Blessings to you as well!
You are such an inspiration. I can hardly wait to read your blog. I know it will be filled with teachable moments. May God continue to do new things in and for you.
Thank you so much Natalie! I’m so excited that you will read my blog! I hope and pray that many teachable moments flourish. Thank you for your prayers and Blessings Natalie! God Bless!
Beautiful introduction to your blog! Thank you for sharing your story and I look forward to reading more!
Thanks so much Anne’ll! I’m at the point in my life and our family journey to share our stories and hopefully, encourage others. I truly appreciate you!
Congratulations Lesley! I will be reading and following your journey! I’m so proud of you! Love & blessings. Michele
Thank you so much Michele! I welcome you to WatchMonkeyMama! I am so grateful for your love and Blessings!
Lesley, Lesley, Lesley……I LOVE THIS AND I LOVE YOU! This is GREAT!!!!! I’m so glad to be a part of this. Your introduction causes me to rejoice. I’m loving your blog, the responses and what will be. ☺️ God bless you.
Aweee! I literally touched my heart when reading this Susan! Thank you soooooo much! Welcome to the WatchMonkeyMama Community! I am pleased that you were touched while reading my introductory blog. God’s Blessings to you!
I enjoyed your wonderful story teaching has also been my life
Thank you Pearl! I am interested in hearing your opinion on future educational blogs that pertain to teaching knowing we have this in common. Thank you again and welcome to WatchMonkeyMama!
Congratulations and well deserved Lesley. I can’t wait to hear about you more.
Thank you so much Lauren! Your support means a lot to me!
Congratulations in this new season of your journey, Lesley. You’re going to inform, entertain, and inspire a lot of people. I’m looking forward to it!
Thank you so much Monte! I appreciate your words of encouragement and vision for WatchMonkeyMama! Thanks for joining the community!
Congratulations Lesley! Keep pursuing your dreams Mama!!!!
Thank you so much Melissa!
Congratulations Leslie! May all your dreams and aspirations come true. I’m super proud of you cuz.
I can’t wait to see what’s to come ☺️
Thank you so much cuz! I appreciate your kind words and well wishes. I am glad you are eager to see what’s next with WatchMonkeyMama!
Congrats Cuz💚
Love You🥰❤️😘
Thanks Cuz! I love you too!
Congratulations Lesley! Excited to see your vision come to life through your blog. I feel your passion for writing and life as I read. Much success to you in all that you do!!
Thank you so much Aida! Thank you for expressing how my blog made you feel. I really appreciate it and your best wishes for WatchMonkeyMama!