Language Exploration Enrichment (L.E.E.) St. Johns commemorates 20 years

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. - Jan. 25, 2023 - PRLog -- Language Exploration Enrichment (L.E.E.) in St. Johns County, Fla. is a 501(c)(3) organization serving kindergarten through fifth-grade students since 2003 with after-school educational programs and services in Spanish language and cultures and encourages students to continue learning languages.

According to Donna Guzzo, President and Executive Director of L.E.E. St. Johns and an Ambassador of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the United Nations, the local organization is dedicated to the development and delivery of lesson plans, activities, advocacy, and outreach to educators, students, parents, and community members. The nonprofit is a member of the Florida Foreign Language Association (FFLA). Guzzo is also First Coast Cultural Center's President and CEO in Jacksonville Beach, Fla.

This year, Claudia Smith, a local Spanish teacher and L.E.E. instructor at Cunningham Creek Elementary School, Freedom Crossing Academy, and Julington Creek Elementary, was named Florida Foreign Language Association's 2023 Teacher of Promise for her two years of teaching language arts in St. Johns County. "L.E.E. has helped hundreds of students learn a language, understand grammar, share a culture, and change the world through technology, crafts, music, field trips, and more. I am honored to be recognized by FFLA and the local program," she said.

Craig Leavitt, Florida Foreign Language Association, Inc.'s Executive Director, volunteer, and special education teacher at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts in Jacksonville, Fla., credits Smith on her award as she embodies the teaching of cultural diversity and promotes global awareness. "Our member organization and teachers envision a linguistically and culturally inclusive Florida. We applaud L.E.E. St. Johns for its milestone anniversary and appreciate Claudia for her abilities and dedication," he said.

Former L.E.E. student Max Nelson, who is now a 25-year-old professional data analyst, was a L.E.E. student at Cunningham Creek Elementary School. He credits his acumen for learning and fluency in languages to the program and his mother, Melissa Nelson, who found ways to respond to his curiosity for culture and language at a very young age by seeking opportunities for learning outside of the traditional classroom.

Parents and families can register students for the L.E.E. St. Johns classes which run once a week for 90 minutes each class. During the two semesters in the school year, the cost is $270 per semester for 15 classes that begin at 3 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, and on Wednesdays from 2 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. There are approximately 10 to 15 students per class depending on the grade level. Visit the website at http://leestjohns.pbworks.com.