Welcome!
As the Creative Director of FableVision Studios for the last 16 years, I’ve worked with K 12 educators, administrators, and students around the country, as well as broadcasters, publishers, museums, and nonprofits, to create educational media and professional development materials around subjects ranging from computational thinking and civics to mental health and substance prevention.
I’ve lived in Natick for 14 years with my husband Peter, our daughter Lila (a graduating senior at NHS), and our pet collective: Knuffle the dog, Splat the cat, and Roo the rabbit.
My hobbies include reading, especially Swedish mysteries, drinking iced coffee all year round, and fainting from excitement when I see dogs wearing clothes.
Favorite spots in Natick: Morse Library, The Muffin House, Calliope, Baylee Bee, and Eddie’s Park (I don’t bring my dog because she’s a jerk, but I love watching the civilized dogs play).
Facts about Leigh:
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In 2001, I co-founded the LIA Project, an educational multimedia company. The company’s mission focused on using animation, games, comics, and museum exhibits to inspire tween girls from underrepresented groups to pursue careers in STEM.
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Between 2001-2007 I taught courses in race, gender, and sexuality in the media at Boston University and served as a Subject Matter Expert for local and national news outlets.
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I have a Master’s Degree in Popular Culture from Bowling Green State University and a Bachelor’s in American Studies from Wellesley College.
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FableVision Studios, where I am the Creative Director, was founded by Peter H. Reynolds, the best-selling author and illustrator of The Dot, Ish, and many other books beloved by teachers around the world. Our mission is to “help all learners realize their true potential.”
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At Wellesley College, I served on College Government as the Director of On-Campus Affairs. In addition to managing budgets, listening to and responding to student feedback, and reporting to the President of the College, we booked bands like Salt ‘N Pepa, Queen Latifah, and the Lemonheads. My favorite act that we ever booked was a DJ named Peter Hallisey in 1992. Reader, we have been together ever since.
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QUALIFICATIONS
My experience as Creative Director at FableVision–including running playtesting sessions and focus groups with students and teachers, observing classrooms to understand how students learn, and listening to teachers speak to their needs and goals– solidified my belief that our teachers and our curriculum are the foundation of our children’s well-being and success in their educational, vocational, and personal pursuits. Specifically, I am a passionate advocate for:
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Embracing every kind of learner
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Encouraging students to identify and use their talents and gifts
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Building resilience and grit
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Fostering creativity and self-expression
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Inviting and considering multiple perspectives
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Ensuring mental health needs are being met
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Supporting and advocating for underrepresented groups
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Providing even our youngest students with tools to be allies and upstanders
My client service and account management experience at FableVision has been invaluable for growing my skill sets in areas that will be critical in my School Committee role:
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Listening to multiple perspectives
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Ensuring people are heard
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Treating all viewpoints with respect
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Creative problem solving
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Disagreeing in a professional, constructive way
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Making decisions and/or changing positions based on evidence and data
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Asking questions and challenging assumptions
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Always recognizing budget constraints and timelines
I invite you check out my Priorities page and learn more about why I would like to be elected to the School Committee and what my priorities would be. And, importantly, I want to hear from you! What are your priorities for Natick Public School students?
Warmly,
Leigh