Leila Kubesch keynote speaker

Leila Kubesch helps students develop leadership skills, become global and civic-minded, and break away from limiting beliefs by guiding them in rising above challenges and advocating for community change.

Leila teaches foreign languages and English as a Second Language. Having committed to teaching in high-need schools, she became resourceful in securing unique opportunities for her students. With the goal of empowering all youth in the same manner as those in affluent communities, she fosters community partnerships, writes grants for innovative learning, and instills a mindset of dreaming big through large-scale service-learning projects that stem from youth initiatives.

The work of her students has landed in museums around the country and won national recognition. Her passion for equity and social justice extends beyond the classroom. She served as an advocate for emancipated foster youth in Ohio by raising awareness of the plight of these youth, who too often became homeless. She raised awareness by presenting to large audiences including TEDx Cincinnati, where she won the Audience Choice Award for her talk. She spoke with politicians and dedicated her effort until House Bill 50 passed, enabling foster youth in Ohio to have homes until age 21.

She places a high value on learning and has studied in eight countries. She earned a Master of Science in Educational Leadership from Purdue University and a Master of Arts in Secondary Education from Ball State University. She became a Certified Yoga Instructor through the Kripalu School of Yoga where she studied Trauma-Sensitive Yoga and Yoga Therapy.

Leila is the 2020 Ohio Teacher of the Year, 2020 National Teacher of the Year Finalist, 2021 NEA Horace Mann Award Recipient, and 2020 National Toyota Family Teacher of the Year.