My name is Leigh Ann Eucker (you – ker) and this marks the start of my 13th year teaching and seventh year at Bethke Elementary. I taught fifth grade my very first year, then second grade for five years, and this will be my seventh year teaching third grade. Before teaching at Bethke, I taught three years in Plainfield, Illinois and three years at Rice Elementary in Wellington, Colorado. I received my bachelor’s degree in Education K-9 from Lewis University in Romeoville, Illinois in May 2008. I completed my master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction through Arkansas State University in December 2016! Last summer, I began a new adventure; facilitating two online courses about small group differentiated math instruction and a book study title Comprehension Connections through the COpilot program. These professional development courses give Colorado educators the opportunity to further their expertise and collaborate with one another.
I just celebrated six years of marriage with my high school sweetheart, Sean, on August 2. Sean is starting his ninth year teaching high school business/marketing and graphic design classes, along with being the Student Council Sponsor at East High School in Cheyenne, Wyoming.
I grew up in Oswego, Illinois, and have lived in Colorado for about 10 years. My older brother and his wife live in Little Falls, NY. They have a one year old, Grayson, who is our godson. He has two half sisters, twins, that are in 8th grade this year. My sister and her husband live in Windsor, and had a baby boy, Noah, on March 8 of this year. It has been so much fun spending time with him this summer. My parents retired early, and will be living in Colorado part-time to help take care of Noah. I am excited to spend more time with them this year! We also have family in Naples, Florida, Illinois, and Ohio.
I am an avid football fan, especially a fan of college football. My husband's family is from Ohio, so I married into the love for the Ohio State Buckeyes. I am a White Sox and Blackhawks' fan as well. I enjoy listening to all genres of music, especially country, and you can always find me working with music in the background. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, being outside, and attending sporting events, like CSU football, volleyball, and basketball games. Since moving to Colorado, I have become a more confident skier (trying to keep up with my snowboarder husband)! I also enjoy hiking and camping. In addition, I find myself taking lots of photographs on our hiking, camping, and skiing trips. I am still amazed by all the beauty Colorado has to offer! We bought a house about four years ago, and enjoy spending time in our yard and finding many other projects to do around the house.
Ever since I was in third grade I wanted to become a teacher. It truly is my passion and I couldn't imagine myself in any other profession. I am so honored and blessed to be a teacher at Bethke and a part of your child's life this year. I look forward to the exciting opportunities we will face this year as we learn and grow together. Thank you for your partnership as we navigate through a school year unlike any other.
My godson, Grayson!
My first nephew!
Two weeks old, Grayson Philip!
Skiing at Breckenridge (Winter 2018).
Sean's sister, Caitlin, and I at her wedding (July 2019).
Hiking on Heavenly Mountain in Lake Tahoe (August 2019).
Seward, Alaska charter fishing (July 2019).
My first ever King Salmon caught on the Kenai River (July 2019).
Caught my first Sockeye Salmon on the Kenai River (July 2019).
Ling Cod caught on the Gulf of Alaska outside of Seward, Alaska (July 2019).
My family at my sister's wedding (September 15, 2017).