Spartan Teacher of the Year is an SLHS Graduate Herself

Leslie Patton, a 2011 graduate of Seven Lakes High School, returned to her high school alma mater as a biology teacher and was chosen as Teacher of the Year in her first year. Learn more about why Leslie wanted to return to the Spartan family, and what it's like to work for your old principal.

KATY MAGAZINE | March 2018 By Ashley Lancaster

1. How long have you lived in Katy, Texas?

I moved here in the 4th grade in 2003.

2. Where did you go to college?

Syracuse University for undergraduate and Texas A&M University for my Master's.

3. How does it feel to be a Teacher of the Year?

Surprised! Your first year of teaching almost feels like a “sink or swim” year, so I’m happy to see I’m not sinking!

4. What is your best memory as a Seven Lakes Spartan

I played soccer here, and we were able to go to the state tournament twice while I was on varsity!

5. Why did you want to come back to Katy ISD?

I loved my teachers when I was here and had the best relationships with them. Going through Katy ISD also prepared me extremely well for college—so it was an honor to be able to come back and teach here!

6. How did you feel when you knew you’d be coming back to teach at your old high school?

Excited but it was definitely a bit weird walking through these hallways again for the first time as a teacher. I was thrilled to be able to work with the amazing teachers I had though.

7. What’s it like working with your old principal, Mr. Vierling?

It’s been great! He was a great principal to have and even better working for him. Luckily, I didn’t know him very well as a middle school or high schooler.

8. What do you love most about SLHS? The kids—Seven Lakes truly has the best students (obviously I’m biased though). I could not ask for better students; they are motivated, interested, and they make my job fun every single day.

9. Name one funny/memorable experience from your first year as a teacher:

A not so funny, but definitely memorable experience was the love and support I felt after Hurricane Harvey. My townhome flooded significantly during the storm, and I was overwhelmed by the help and support I got from my colleagues and even students. SLHS is truly a community here and that’s a time in my life I’ll never forget.

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10. Why do you love teaching biology?

I have my undergraduate and master’s degree in biochemistry and biophysics—so needless to say I’m a huge science nerd. One of my classes said I needed to stop saying how cool everything is in biology because I truly LOVE the subject. Being able to share all the “cool” things about biology is what makes my job so fun.

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