 Charlise Leesman grew up on a farm north of Emden and has very fond
memories of spending time with an extended family -- aunts, uncles
and cousins living in the surrounding area who were a big part of
her life. She enjoyed being a kid: riding her bike and being with
her friends.She grew up in a household of Chicago Cubs fans and
remembers riding through Emden with her father in the summer of 1969
to celebrate the team's spectacular performance. She continues to be
optimistic that each year might be "the one" when her favorite team
goes all the way.
Her father farmed and her mother was a teacher. She was
influenced to be a teacher by her mother, Effie Rademaker, but
received a lot of encouragement and support from both parents. Her
father was an avid reader and also valued and understood the
importance of an education. Her sister and her grandmother were also
teachers.
Charlise attended Emden Grade School and Hartsburg-Emden Junior
High, graduated from Hartem High School in 1969, and continued her
education at Illinois State University, where she received her
bachelor's degree in special education in 1973. One week after
graduation, she married her husband, Keith, and they have lived in
Lincoln since then.
She was a student teacher at Central School and began her
teaching career there. Mrs. Leesman has taught at Central School in
District 27 for over 30 years in special education, grades three to
five.
“I have seen changes in education since I began teaching," she
said, "but one thing that has remained the same is my conviction to
do what is best for each child in my classroom. There is a saying
that says, 'We all dance -- different music and different steps, but
we all dance.'"
One special project that stands out during her 30-plus years of
being with District 27 was when the effort to build the new Central
School and Lincoln Junior High School became a reality.
"I was privileged to be part of the planning committee for the
new Central School and contribute suggestions and ideas for what we
needed and what would make a better school," she explained. "It is
very satisfying to know that I was a spokesperson for myself and
other teachers who were allowed to have input into the design and
features that are currently being used and will be used by future
teachers of this school."
[to top of second column] |
Charlise's husband, Keith, is retired from CILCO (Ameren). They
have two sons. Jonathan is a pharmacist manager at Barnes-Jewish
Children's Hospital in St. Louis. He is married to the former Dana
Welch, and they have three children -- Keegan, Cade and Norah.
Jonathan. Their son Jeff and his wife, the former Jennifer Rohrer of
Lincoln, are expecting their first child in June. He is an
electrical engineer in Naperville and they live in Streamwood.
Charlise and her husband plan to travel and spend more time with
their grandchildren after she retires. They both enjoy reading and
being with friends. One of their favorite things to do is antiquing.
"If we pass by an antique store, we'll stop," she confessed. She
also plans to catch up on her scrapbooking projects and work on
those other little chores that are always on the "to do" list.
As a parting reflection on her years with Central School, Mrs.
Leesman said: "It was an honor to work with such dedicated and
hardworking administrators and teachers. They touch the lives of so
many students and are such positive influences in their future
endeavors. I want to take this opportunity to thank them for what
they do."
And we want to take this opportunity to join the school and the
community in thanking Charlise for all her years of dedication to
the youngsters in Lincoln.
[By MARLA BLAIR]
Editor's note: This is the first in a series on retiring teachers in
Logan County.
 |
