Lesli Grant is an experienced and passionate educator committed to helping students develop essential life skills through persuasive speaking and debating. Her dedication to education is underscored by her lifelong calling to see every child develop the confidence and skills to speak up and contribute. Lesli is a talented educator and advocate for students with literacy challenges. She believes that debating is an excellent tool for motivating students to tackle their issues and improve their reading and writing skills. Lesli currently works with teachers and colleagues to promote debating as a way to inspire and build essential skills in students in Year 4-7. She is also writing a teacher's manual to encourage others to experiment with this powerful tool. Lesli is the coach and owner of Rise & Shine Debating, an initiative that focuses on developing teamwork, confidence, and research skills while having fun. Her passion for this cause led her to create The Rise and Shine Awards, which recognizes each team's achievement in a debate with Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum awards based on performance.

Leslie has a rich educational background that includes postgraduate units in intercultural consumer economics at Fresno State College and a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics from the University of California, Davis. Before Rise & Shine Debating, she worked as a senior consultant and acting/access programs coordinator and program facilitator at WA Department of Training. Additionally, she is a Quaker and an enthusiastic textile arts and swing dancing patron.