LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

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Vilencia Leslie

Position: Speech Therapist & Tutor
School: Blakeney Elementary School
School District: Burke County Public Schools
City, State: Waynesboro, GA

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Vilencia Leslie was nominated by a parent of a student, Deborah Jones.

"I'm honored to nominate Mrs. Leslie as a LifeChanger of the Year nominee because she is the very definition of someone who changes lives through service, compassion, advocacy, and an unwavering commitment to helping others succeed. For more than 30 years, Mrs. Leslie has devoted herself to education and to helping students recognize their abilities, build confidence, and reach their greatest potential. Her impact extends far beyond academic instruction. She builds relationships, inspires hope, and helps students believe in themselves.
 
My family has personally experienced the life-changing impact of Mrs. Leslie's dedication. Through a tutoring program, Mrs. Leslie worked diligently with my son, recognizing that his academic needs extended beyond simply learning the required skills. She understood the importance of building his confidence and developing a positive attitude toward learning.
 
Through a wide variety of strategies and techniques that she thoughtfully designed to meet his individual needs, she made learning more engaging, understandable, and achievable for him. Mrs. Leslie's patience, encouragement, and ability to meet my son where he was academically helped him develop a renewed desire to learn. As his confidence increased, so did his willingness to participate, practice, and apply the academic skills he was learning. Her support played an important role in helping him build the skills and confidence needed to advance successfully to first grade," said Jones.
 
What makes Mrs. Leslie a true LifeChanger is the way she combines her expertise with genuine compassion. She sees the child—not just the academic challenge. She believes every student can grow with the right support, encouragement, and opportunity.
 
"Her dedication has not only influenced my son’s academic performance, but has positively changed his perspective about himself as a learner. He began to see that he could learn, improve, and succeed. As parents, there is no greater gift than an educator who believes in your child, especially when that child struggles to believe in himself.
 
Mrs. Leslie became more than a tutor; she became an encourager, advocate, and source of confidence for my son. Her commitment has made a meaningful and lasting difference in his educational journey. Her genuine compassion, dedication, creativity, and drive as an educator and advocate exemplify what it means to be a true LifeChanger. She has not only helped a student prepare for the next grade level, but discover the confidence to believe, 'I can learn, I can grow, and I can succeed.' That kind of impact deserves to be recognized and celebrated,” said Jones.
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Comments (6)

Shekemia Bing Posted 2 days ago

I'm honored to nominate Mrs. Leslie as a LifeChanger of the Year nominee because she is the very definition of what it means to make a difference in someone’s life. She goes above and beyond her responsibilities, not because she has to, but because she genuinely cares about the people she serves. Mrs.Leslie has a special way of making others feel valued, supported, and appreciated.Her kindness, dedication, compassion, and willingness to go the extra mile do not go unnoticed. She is the kind of person whose presence makes a difference, whose words bring encouragement, and whose actions speak volumes about the heart she has for others. A LifeChanger is someone who leaves a lasting impact, inspires others, and makes the world a better place simply by being who they are. Mrs.Leslie embodies all of these qualities. She deserves to be recognized, celebrated, and honored for the difference she makes every single day.

Shekemia Bing Posted 2 days ago

I'm honored to nominate Mrs. Leslie as a LifeChanger of the Year nominee because she is the very definition of what it means to make a difference in someone’s life. She goes above and beyond her responsibilities, not because she has to, but because she genuinely cares about the people she serves. Mrs.Leslie has a special way of making others feel valued, supported, and appreciated.Her kindness, dedication, compassion, and willingness to go the extra mile do not go unnoticed. She is the kind of person whose presence makes a difference, whose words bring encouragement, and whose actions speak volumes about the heart she has for others. A LifeChanger is someone who leaves a lasting impact, inspires others, and makes the world a better place simply by being who they are. Mrs.Leslie embodies all of these qualities. She deserves to be recognized, celebrated, and honored for the difference she makes every single day.

Christopher Leslie Posted 3 days ago

❤️ Vilencia Antoine Leslie: A True Life Changer! Some people make a living, while others spend their lives making a difference. My beautiful wife, Vilencia, has made it her life’s mission to change lives. As a speech-language pathologist, she does far more than help children find their voices. She helps them discover their confidence, recognize their worth, and become everything God created them to be. She’s a fierce advocate for the underdog, a champion for the overlooked, and a woman whose commitment to excellence is unmatched. One of my greatest joys is watching young adults approach her in public, thanking her for the difference she made in their lives as children. They may have outgrown her therapy room, but they’ve never outgrown her impact. I’ve witnessed that same love, dedication, and determination in the lives of our two daughters and grandchildren. But of all the lives my wife has changed, the one I know most intimately is my own. When Vilencia became my wife, she changed my life forever. Her love has strengthened me, her commitment has anchored me, and her unwavering belief in me has challenged me to become a better man. Even her attention to detail and insistence that everything be done right and in order have helped shape who I am today! She hasn’t just loved me; she’s invested in me, stood beside me, and helped me become more of the man God created me to be. So yes, my beautiful wife deserves this Life Changer Award. Her influence reaches far beyond her profession and will be felt for generations. But sweetheart, here’s what I want you and the world to know: While others are preparing to honor you for changing lives, God has already honored me with the privilege of sharing mine with you. You may be receiving an award for being a life changer, but I received my greatest award the day you became my wife. And of all the lives you’ve changed, I’m forever grateful that one of them was mine. ❤️ Congratulations, my love! I’m blessed to be your husband. Christopher C. Leslie

Kathy Arena Posted 8 days ago

Ms. Vilencia Leslie is a member of the Professional Association of GA Educators. She has served as a Burke County PAGE Ambassador for several years. She is currently serving on the PAGE Board of Directors and represents District 10 which includes 16 school systems in and around the Central Savannah River Area. In this capacity she helps to oversee our organization's mission of service, support, and advocacy for Georgia's teachers, administrators, paraprofessionals, and student educators. She is devoted to her family, church, students, and community. I am privileged to work with her and call her my friend.

Betty Blackshear Posted 10 days ago

Vilencia’s sincere commitment to helping students academically, emotionally, and socially makes her a true life changer as she goes beyond proving speech therapy services to inspire confidence, nurture potential, and instill a love for learning. Through her compassion, dedication, and unwavering belief in every child’s ability to succeed, she empowers students to overcome challenges, recognize their worth, and reach heights they once thought impossible. Her impact extends beyond the school walls leaving a lasting impression on the hearts, minds, and futures of the students she serves.

Faith Sampson Posted 28 days ago

Mrs. Leslie has been nothing short of amazing since I have met her. What went from an introduction from my neighbor turned into a relationship I never knew I needed. She has set a pathway of knowledge for me to better assist my child in the educational world as well as the everyday life she lives. My child is breaking barriers and pushing past limits that we knew she could break through all along! The work Mrs. Leslie does within the education system, the confidence and motivation she exudes into everyone around her is unimaginable! Every task given to her is completed with grace and you can guarantee she put her EVERYTHING into it. She does not see failure, but more so a great opportunity for growth. Every question, concern, or even her just being a listening ear is always addressed with compassion and honesty. There is no better person, in my opinion, better deserving of this award. Mrs. Leslie has helped me manage crisis after crisis revolving around the care and well-being of my special needs child. Without her guidance I do not know where we would be. She is truly a LifeChanger!