Ms. Perez & Ms. Locey - Making Leslie Middle School ‘Out of this World’

Meet Ms. Perez & Ms. Locey

As they began planning for the second year together as a team, Office Manager Cecilia Perez and Choir and Leadership Teacher Danika Locey set out to make their annual Lion Camp one to remember for incoming sixth-grade students.

“It’s an opportunity for students to get used to the school,” said Ms. Perez. “We really focused on the fun activities, but still put an academic twist on them to help students in getting comfortable, getting to know the rules and getting used to the daily routines here at Leslie.”

A Little Fun, A Little Work

What started as a simple welcome board first started by the school’s art teacher, soon launched into their entire concept to ensure middle school felt “out of this world” for each and every incoming Leslie Lion.

“Themes are fun,” shared Locey, “I'd put a theme on everything if I could.”

Through a blend of interactive activities such as space bingo, bottle rockets, and galaxy art, students had the opportunity to collaborate together in hands-on activities while learning all they need to know before starting their time as a middle school student. The time of transitioning to middle school is a pivotal time for students, gaining independence, additional social opportunities, and a big change in daily routines.

“We tried to connect the academic with the fun topic where it was possible,” Locey added. “Our hope is that we can help kids understand that’s what school is, and what life is sometimes – we do a little bit of fun, and a little bit of work.”

Leading a Lion Legacy

At the end of the 2023-24 school year, many staff had uncertainty about what the new year would bring. The opportunity for programs such as Lion Camp to build community helped students and supported staff in their ability to come into the new school year with renewed energy.

“Lou is one of our Instructional Assistants here at Leslie and he was just so willing to jump in wherever he could help,” shared Ms. Perez. “When he spotted a kid who seemed nervous, he took them under his wing and kept doing that throughout the camp. This brought me so much excitement for this upcoming school year that I didn’t have before. Sometimes I ask myself ‘is this where I still want to be?’. It’s moments like these that make me know, ‘yes, it is. I’m still here for a reason’.”

In a school, every moment is impactful. For students and the dedicated staff that serve them, every day is an opportunity to try new things, learn, educate and work together as one community. What may seem just a day filled with science, art projects, and learning locker combinations, truly means so much more to each and every student and staff member.

“It’s so easy as a teacher to get into my own head. Especially as a music teacher and worrying about what we are going to sound like this year or what my curriculum looks like, and all these other pressure points,” said Ms. Locey. “As soon as I’m able to focus back on the kids, the stress goes away. When I’m around students, it reminds me ‘wait no, actually I know what to do, I know how to teach.’ The pieces will come together as they will, but the kids are going to be here and that’s the important part.”

“For me, part of the reason I do this camp every year is because it gives me a soft launch into the full rigor of being a teacher.”

A new year brings many new opportunities, new ways to grow and new lessons that will help us all improve each year. A new year also brings genuine moments of joy, community and true hope that is inevitable in a place as special as a classroom in Salem-Keizer.

Ms. Perez and Ms. Locey are an out-of-this-world team, leading for kids, growth and the legacy of their Leslie Lions.

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