About Me

Leslie Shimomura

Media Center Coordinator

Education

BA English/Critical Theory University of California, Irvine

Experience

15 years as a Market Research Analyst/Technical Writer, 5 as a Senior Analyst, in the Financial Sector (New Home Construction) in California

3 years as an Executive Assistant to the Executive Director of The Peace Center, a large performing arts center in Greenville, SC

8 years as a substitute teacher Duncanville ISD

12 years as a Bookseller at Barnes & Noble

Volunteer Work

11 years on various Duncanville ISD PTA Boards including Alexander, Smith, Brandenburg, Byrd and Duncanville High School as well as the Council PTA when it was active. Positions held include Treasurer, Secretary, and President, among others.

I started a volunteer sponsored art program at Alexander when the school had no art program and ran it for 8 years.

2 years as Treasurer for the Duncanville High School Band Boosters.

2 years on the Strategic Planning Committee for Duncanville ISD as a parent representative.

I served twice on the Textbook Review Committee for Duncanville ISD.

Hobbies

I am a dabbler in many things. I love fiber arts and am an avid knitter and handspinner. The visual arts – drawing, painting, lettering, mixed media, Zentangle – are another passion. Since I was a small child, I have always enjoyed travel, any kind, anywhere indoors, outdoors, mountain tops, caves, peaceful countrysides, big, smelly cities…you name it, I’m there. I had the great fortune to be an exchange student while I was in high school which has inspired my interest in learning other languages. I speak fluent German, studied French for 7 years in Jr. High and High School and pursued 3 years of Russian in college. I studied the cello for many years and am slowly getting back into practicing. The kitchen is another one of my playgrounds. I guess I’m just perpetually curious and love to try new things.

Summary

My diverse background brings a variety of experiences to the Media Center Coordinator position. From all of my work experiences, I have learned customer service skills on many levels. In my positions at The Peace Center and at Barnes & Noble, I learned to enjoy working with the occasional difficult customer. My work as a technical writer has helped me hone my communication skills and given me opportunities to work with team members in the creation of finished documents—feasibility studies and grant proposals. Although the Media Center position does not require the use of my data analysis skills, I use them to determine better systems to deliver the best service I can to the district. As the Treasurer for all of the PTA Boards on which I served along with the High School Band Boosters, I have developed budgeting, accounting and bookkeeping skills as well as an understanding of the audit procedures required to keep the accounting transparent and accurate. My work in the classrooms has given me a perspective on the important, hard work our teachers are asked to accomplish. And, my experience with the art program at Alexander gave my creative side an inspiring outlet. Finally, as the mother of two boys, one with special needs, one GT, and both DHS graduates, I have seen the district from multiple angles and am proud of all that Duncanville ISD provides to our community.