By Emily Burleigh

Leslie Mire McFarland, 47, emulates the teacher who inspired her to become an educator.

She was a student who loved school.

“I was very social and into every club or activity that was offered. I played softball and bowled. I loved being at school with my friends and participating.”

She believes she was blessed to “have so many great teachers along the way” who kept her educated and motivated.

“There were so many that made an impact.”

One elementary school teacher stood out. In second grade, she and her classmates faced loss when their original teacher passed away. The educator who took her place made a long-lasting impression.

“We were devastated because she was amazing and so caring. We loved her. Then, Mrs. Miller took her place and I remember being so nervous that she wouldn’t love us as much. Not only did she love us, but she made each of us feel like we were her favorite. She never let us know any different and she took care of us that year like we were her own.”

After being taught by Miller, McFarland decided she wanted to be “that teacher.”

As “that teacher,” McFarland inspires, encourages and motivates her students in a “safe, secure and loving environment so they can continue to develop a lifelong love of learning.”

“As a teacher, I have a chance to make a difference in a child’s life and I strive to make it a good one each day.”

She is a Lake Charles native and graduated from LaGrange Senior High School in 1994. She kept her higher education local and attended McNeese State University right after graduating. She earned a Bachelor’s of Science in accounting in 1998. In 2009, she took the next step and earned a Master of Arts in teaching.

She has now taught for 15 years. Her first few years were spent at Maplewood Middle School teaching third- and fourth-graders. She eventually moved to W.T. Henning Elementary, where she teaches fifth-grade math and social studies.

McFarland is Henning’s Lead Mentor. As a Louisiana State Mentor, she is one of more than 1,800 Louisiana educators who guide new teachers, more experienced teachers who need support and aspiring teachers participating in year-long residencies.

At Henning, she is also a Lead Tech and school webmaster and a PBIS leader.

Much like her experience with Miller, McFarland relishes the opportunity to become a part of her students’ life stories.

“Being a small part of my students’ journey in life and watching them grow as a person and academically is something special.”

She said she relishes the moments in which she learns about her former students’ lives, dreams and goals.

“Seeing my students after they leave me and hearing about all their accomplishments always makes me so proud. There is nothing more special than hearing a former student tell you they are in college to be a math teacher and I was their inspiration!”

She has a personal understanding of the long-lasting effects teachers have on students and a firm grasp of her role as a teacher.

“As educators, we are more than just teachers. We strive each day to help our children grow not only academically, but socially, as well. We teach them lifelong skills that help them be productive citizens in our community. We show them that hard work and perseverance will help them reach their goals in life.”

Future educators should know that teaching is such a rewarding profession despite the challenges, she said.

“It isn’t easy and it doesn’t always go your way, but the looks and smiles on your students’ faces when they succeed or have a new experience that wouldn’t be possible without school is something you can’t replace. You are blessed each day to be a small part of a  child’s journey and make an impact on their lives and the lives of the people around them. There’s no better feeling!”