Leslie St. Lawrence: Decades of Student-First Dedication

This post is part of the Lynden Schools Staff Spotlight series

Leslie St. Lawrence may wear a black and orange sweatshirt on Friday nights, but don’t misunderstand: She adores everything green and gold. Her dedication to Lynden students has permeated every part of her three decade-plus career in Lynden, her volunteer service on top of it all and even her community interest. 

St. Lawrence may support grandchildren at Blaine on Friday evenings, but it is Lynden she knows and loves. 

The Role

A paraeducator who started at Fisher Elementary, St. Lawrence slid over to Bernice Vossbeck Elementary when the building first opened. Now 32 years invested in the district, she continues to support students and teachers in the classroom with literacy and math, something she’s found rewarding from the start. 

“There is nothing like seeing a child learn and progress,” she says. “I appreciate all of the hard-working paraeducators—past and present—that I have had the pleasure of knowing and working alongside of.” 

Every student comes to St. Lawrence with a different need. Some may not have English as a first language, some may have a physical or emotional difference. “Regardless of their needs,” she says, “we are there for them.” 

Along with her job with Lynden Schools, she’s been heavily involved volunteering in the district. “My interests outside of work find me connected to school, attending school board meetings, serving on a task force looking at the future of our building and I just completed serving as president of LCEA, our local labor relations group, representing paraeducators, playground supervisors, computer technicians and other equally important classified employees,” she says. 

Getting to Know Leslie

Having graduated high school from Sehome and then spending more than three decades in Lynden, St. Lawrence certainly knows the power of green and gold. But with five grandchildren, she’s often pulled to Blaine to support her family. When high school sports isn’t drawing her attention, she’s engaged in professional and college sports—“Go Dawgs” is her college mantra—and also enjoys time with family and friends, attending local theater productions, local festivals and simply spending time with her two orange cats, Simba and Tigger.