Lesen Schideman has always enjoyed teaching.  She has a B.A. in Elementary Education and a M.A. in School Leadership from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Chicago. After serving as a teacher for several years in Chicago, Beijing and Kiev in a variety of roles, she moved to Champaign, Illinois, where she homeschooled her four children and teaches math and science classes. Along the way, she has taught dozens of science classes, including health to high school students.  Lesen likes to have fun with her students while helping to build their science literacy and awe for the Creator.

Lesen also enjoys talking to students and parents about life after high school.  She believes all kids are talented in different ways and creatively looks for opportunities for them to find their ‘next step’.   With her own children having a mix of different gifted characteristics, including dyslexia, she is quick to adapt to the needs of her students. She is quite happy to work with students who can’t wait to ‘cross off their list of assignments’ and those that are anxious to ‘do their own thing’. 

When she isn’t teaching, Lesen enjoys time at home, being a mom to her teenage and adult children, traveling, and exercising with friends. She is thankful for the Lord’s graciousness in her life!