Science teacher Ms. Leslie Gum has been a teacher at Poolesville high school for 17 years, leaving a profound mark on the school through her dedication to service. In that time, she has built a reputation for kindness, leadership, and a genuine passion for helping others succeed.

Ever since she was young, she has taken on numerous volunteering positions.. Her commitment to service traces back to her earliest years in Girl Scouts, where she served in many roles, ranging from a day counselor to a troop leader as an adult. She volunteered at church as an acolyte and helper in the nursery, and in high school, she became a class officer for NHS. 

“There has never been a time in my life where I was not volunteering somewhere!” says Gum. 

Here at Poolesville, she is known for running the National Honor Society, but she also does extensive volunteer work outside of these walls.”

Currently, she works with several programs in her hometown of Brunswick, MD, and has fostered a sense of community within her town. She works with the Brunswick Food Bank, where she leads a team of volunteers to provide families with food for the month. She also volunteers with the Brunswick BEACON, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing food and financial assistance to families in need. 

Seasonally, she coordinates the Brunswick School Supply Drive, where she’s helped donate 250 filled book bags, and the Brunswick Community Christmas Program, where she’s helped provide Christmas presents to 146 children living at or below the poverty line in the greater Brunswick community. 

For her extensive work, she has been awarded the Paul Harris Award by the Smoketown Rotary of Brunswick. The prestigious award recognizes individuals who exemplify service before self. 

She has taken her experience and has shared her knowledge with students, particularly through NHS, where eagerness to give back to the community has flourished. 

President of NHS Rohan Shah works closely with Ms. Gum. He says her leadership over the past two years has had a powerful impact on the chapter. 

“She encourages NHS members to support students around the school through tutoring, writing positive notes, and participating in school-wide community-building activities,” Shah said. 

Gum is optimistic that by incorporating her volunteer experience into guiding students, she can foster a lasting culture of service that students will carry with them beyond high school. 

“NHS gives me the gift to share with students my love for serving others,” says Gum. “My hope is that by serving alongside each other, students will inspire others and create a cycle of giving.”