![English teacher Leslie Lindsey smiles for a photo behind her desk. Growing up, Lindsey participated in many things outdoors, learning life skills that she still uses today. “I loved fishing and was never grossed out by it. I could get my hands dirty and spend time outside; even when it was cold, I didn't care. Fishing takes a lot of patience, and that is [now] a virtue of mine because I have great patience that translates into my classroom,” Lindsey said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/IMG_6632-1-e1712758336310-1200x983.jpeg)
What school did you go to?
[Parkway] Central for middle and high school. For elementary school, [I went to] Highcroft.
How was your childhood home life?
It was great. I have an older sister and a mom and a dad. I lived in a great neighborhood and played sports outside and had a great, easy childhood.
(Used with permission of Leslie Lindsey)
What has changed, what hasn’t?
Parents are way more involved in their kids’ lives than our parents were involved in our lives [with] things like knowing where you’re going and where you are. We used to play outside, and our parents had no idea where we were; we just came home later. Now, parents know where their kids are all the time. I feel like that with education too: my parents were like, ‘How are your grades?’ and I would say ‘I have an A,’ and they were like, ‘Cool.’ Now, parents know about your assignments and when your tests are, and they can access your Infinite Campus and email your teachers. It was more hands-off in the world that I grew up in. I don’t think it’s better or worse, but I do think that we’re creating a generation of people that are less independent and more reliant on their parents.
When did you know you wanted to be a teacher and teach this subject?
I’ve always known that I wanted to be a teacher. My mom [and] grandma [were] teachers. My mom always loved her job and went to work and came home from work happy every day, [but] my dad did not have that same experience. I looked up to my parents, and I wanted to have a job that made me happy every day, so that’s [why] I am [here].
Tell me a childhood story that always makes you smile.
In the summer, [my family] built this fort in the woods by our house, and we would go to it every day. We [brought] food, we built a swing [and] built a ramp. We would never sleep in there, but we wanted to. It was our own little escape in the woods. We got dirty and had fun; I don’t know if our parents knew what we were doing at all, but we were happy and safe enough. I’m an outdoors-y person, so the big moments in my childhood [were] always when I was doing something fun outside with friends.
What things make you nostalgic when you see/hear/smell/ feel them?
Music is really nostalgic for me; hearing different songs brings me back to high school, driving in my car. Different songs can transport you through time like that. Anytime I hear the Dixie Chicks, [I remember] good memories when I would drive in my 1992 Honda Accord, as free as a bird, singing with my friends.
![Smiling in a sea of Longhorns, Fox 2 reporter Ty Hawkins joins junior Darren Young during the morning Oct. 3 pep rally. The last time West was featured in this segment was 2011. “[I hope people see this and think] if you come to [Parkway] West, you will have the time of your life because there are so many fun activities to do that make it feel like you belong here. I was surprised so many people attended, but it was a lot of fun,” Young said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Edited2-1200x798.jpg)
![Blue lights shining brightly, senior Riley Creely beatboxes into the microphone. Creely and the group began the performance in front of the blue lights, sparking interest from the audience. “The pep rally performance was fun. I got to beatbox for the first half of the song, which was hype. I liked to look into the student section [while I performed],” Creely said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/DSC_5085-Enhanced-NR-1200x799.jpg)
![Hugging senior Ella Wheeler, senior Jamaya Love beams after scoring a touchdown at the Powderpuff football game on Sept. 11, putting the seniors on the scoreboard with a score of 6-2 above the juniors. The seniors went on to capture the victory with a final score of 12-2. “I was actually gassed [at this moment]. I was so tired. But, everyone on the sideline, all my teammates and everybody in the stands were cheering,” Love said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/DSC1735-Enhanced-NR-2-1200x799.jpg)
![Raising her hands in the air, freshman Jillian Sternhagen follows Mr. Mooney’s lead during an activity Aug. 15 at freshman orientation. Surrounded by other freshmen, Sternhagen learned an “A O E day” chant to help remember their new weekly high school schedule. Students participated in several activities to get to know each other, the school and the upperclassmen. “We got to tour the school and learn where everything in our schedule is. The energy [at orientation] was fun; the leaders were peppy and got us excited,” Sternhagen said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/DSC_0145-1200x798.jpg)
![Shifting global trade, President Donald Trump’s tariffs are raising concerns about economic stability for the U.S. and other countries alike. “[The tariffs are] going to pose a distinct challenge to the U.S. economy and a challenge to the global economy on the whole because it's going to greatly upset who trades with who and where resources and products are going to come from,” social studies teacher Melvin Trotier said.](https://pwestpathfinder.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/MDB_3456-1200x800.jpg)
