Leigh McNamara Gianakos
for Board of Education
4-year term
4-year term
Leigh is an East Lyme native who has served on the Town’s Board of Education since 2016. After earning her undergraduate degree from Northeastern University, she began her career teaching middle school literacy in Nashville while obtaining her Master's Degree in Education. Back in Connecticut, Leigh led educator-talent initiatives and served as Director of a Teacher Residency Program to h elp hire, train, and coach novice teachers. Today, she works in edtech, helping districts make enrollment easier, fairer, and more accessible for families.
On the Board of Education, Leigh brings the perspective of an educator, parent, and East Lyme Public School alum to champion rigorous academics, inclusive school culture, and responsible stewardship of resources. She serves on the Districtwide Student Belonging & Experience Committee and the Culture & Innovation Committee, and also chairs the School Reorganization Committee. Leigh believes the best decisions emerge from listening to and working alongside students, families, educators, administrators, fellow Board members, and the broader community. She strives for practical innovation at the Board level--integrating technology that actually improves learning, expanding experiential pathways, and designing systems that help every student feel known and supported.
Leigh ran for the Board to give back to the District that shaped her--and nearly a decade later, that commitment endures. She lives in East Lyme with her husband and their two children--a third grader and kindergartner in our school system which gives her deep insight into how Board decisions shape daily experiences for students and families. She would be honored to continue serving the community on the Board of Education.