Even though this is his first year at Scituate High School, Spanish teacher Mike Lesniak has taught Spanish for 16 years. After graduating from Bridgewater State University, Lesniak attended the University of Salamanca in northwestern Spain to earn his Master’s degree. He also completed his CAGS coursework in educational leadership at Fitchburg State University. 

Lesniak grew up in the Berkshires in Western Massachusetts, where he attended a regional high school with 600 students from 10-12 different towns. According to Lesniak, his teachers challenged their students to look at education in a different way: The helped them figure out their passions and what drove them to achieve. All the students were encouraged to create a path of study to further their education. 

Lesniak enjoys teaching all of his Spanish classes this year. Seeing his students communicate in Spanish and watching their progress with the language gives Lesniak a great sense of accomplishment. He knows his students will grow and be able to use the language more. 

Five years ago, Lesniak moved to Scituate, where he lives with his two young sons and his wife, Samantha Lesniak, who is the assistant principal at Gates Middle School.