Staff Spotlight: Leslie Cummings brings it home

“I loved helping students learn and grow,” Leslie Cummings explained, saying it was then that she knew she wanted to work with young people.

by Amy Haggerty

Professionalismand nurturingare two words to describe Leslie Cummings. This guidance counselor has worn many hats during her 23 years of working with grades 9 through 12 in the Stockbridge Community School District, and not the least of which involves assisting students with their futures.

According to Principal Jeff Trapp, “Leslie is a vital component of our team. She supports and encourages our students to help them reach their potential.”

Having grown up in western New York, Cummings attended high school in the Rochester area. She moved numerous times during her young years, living at times in Rhode Island, Wisconsin, California and Colorado. She credits her father as the most influential person in her life.“He instilled the value of education at all levels in me,” she said.

Cummings attended college in New York, graduating with a degree in geology and minor in computer science. Later, she earned her Secondary Education Teaching Certificate in earth science and her Masters in Guidance Counseling for grades 7-12 at Central Michigan University.

While working with undergraduate students in a geology lab in her junior and senior years of college, Cummings gained an interest in teaching.

“I loved helping students learn and grow,” she explained, saying it was then that she knew she wanted to work with young people.

In 1985, she married Dwight Cummings, and they had three boys together. Evan is 23 years old, Ian and Eric 19. They live in the Lansing area.

“l love the rural and supportitive community!” Cummings said of Stockbridge, and added that she enjoys getting to know students and helping them reach their goals over their four years of high school.

Cummings feels her biggest honor is receiving a hug from a student at graduation. She also loves building lasting relationships even after graduation. The occasional visit or phone call from a former student makes her day, Cummings said, and she hopes she has helped as many kids as possible graduate and achieve their dreams.

Cummings says “having genuine compassion, interest and concern for all students guides me daily in my efforts at SHS.” She tells her students, “Always try your best at all you do and never stop learning and growing in your life.”

“With its students, staff and community,” Cummings said, “Stockbridge is a very special place to be a part of.”