About The Teacher

NAME: Mrs. Leto
Picture

DEPARTMENT: IB Science

CLASSES: Pre-IB Chemistry, Pre-IB Pysics, IB Biology

SCHOOL PHONE: 276-5620


Professional Background

I have been teaching science in Hillsborough County for twenty three years. I 
am a graduate of the University of South Florida with degrees in Natural 
Sciences and Secondary Education. I hold a Master of Science in Education 
degree in Curriculum & Instruction with a Focus on Integrating Technology in 
the Classroom from Walden University.  I am a National Board certified 
teacher for adolescent/young adulthood science since 1999, and renewed the 
certification in 2009.  My biography is listed in "Who's Who in Science and 
Engineering" (2011), "Who's Who Among America's  Teachers" (2007, 2005, 2004, 
2002, 2000), "Who's Who in America" (2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007), Who's Who 
Among American Women (2011, 2009), "Who's Who in the World" (2011, 2010, 
2009, 2008)and Heritage Who's Who (2011). 

I am a member of the National Association of Science Teachers (NSTA), the 
American Chemical Society (ACS), the Association for Supervision and 
Curriculum Development (ASCD) , National Association of Biology Teachers 
(NABT), Florida Association for the Gifted (FLAG), and the National 
Association for Gifted Children (NAGC).

In addition to my work with students, I enjoy working with other teachers 
around the district.  I have served on textbook selection committees and have 
helped to develop district curriculum guides, exams, and reviews.  I served 
as a reviewer for our current AP Biology textbook - AP edition of Biology 
seventh edition by Campbell and Reese, look for my name on page xviii!  I am 
a master trainer for Hillsborough County Public Schools. Each summer I work 
as a lead facilitator with a group of other experienced Science teachers in 
our school district to present a one-week orientation to prepare our newly 
hired science teachers for their classroom experience. Working with those new 
teachers keeps me energized and makes me eager to get back to school each 
fall!

Mission For The Class

My mission is to instill in my students a lifetime appreciation for the joy 
of learning, the beauty of nature, and the wonder of science. I want to 
provide a  caring, safe, and respectful environment where I can guide 
students in building the scientific habits of mind that will serve them well 
as global community members of the twenty first century, and inspire them 
to “start a ripple” by sharing those habits and that appreciation with other 
people whose lives they touch.