As the speech therapist at Blakeney Elementary, my name is Mrs. Leslie, and I am grateful, excited, and eager to continue providing effective speech and communication therapy services.  I have been blessed in being able to provide speech therapy services for 34+ years in both schools and rehabilitative/nursing home settings.  I truly believe in this passion for my career, as I enjoy working with many of my administrators, faculty, and staff as we collaborate to enhance each student's academic well-being.  As a graduate of South Carolina State University, I received my Bachelor's and Master of Arts degrees in Speech/Language Pathology and Audiology.  I also received my Ed.S. degree in Special Education Leadership from the University of West Georgia.

Having been a resident of the Augusta/Hephzibah, Georgia area for 30 years, I am married to Rev. Christopher Leslie and have two daughters - Christina, 28, and Delecia, 34.  We are the proud grandparents of three grandsons and a granddaughter.   I enjoy helping others, collaborating in my community and church to help make the CSRA and country a better place of unification.  Writing and singing are also my interests.

Our school theme for this year is: New Face, New Place, New Grace".  Whether your child is new to speech therapy or returning for continued support, this theme reminds us that every new beginning brings the opportunity to grow - with encouragement, confidence, and kindness. As we welcome new faces and adjust to new spaces, speech therapy is here to help students grow with New Sounds, New Words, and the Grace of Confident Communication. This year, we focus on building strong voices, clear speech, and meaningful connections—one word at a time.

I want to encourage you, as parents, to continue helping your son/daughter towards building good communication skills through working and practicing on the addressed goals/objectives that will further enhance their expression in oral and written skills.  I am available at the school on Mondays-Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Look forward to a productive and successful 2025 - 2026 school year!