Streamwood teacher urged students to strive for more

Language arts teacher Barbara Lesht loved to teach poetry to her seventh grade students at Canton Middle School in Streamwood.

With 35 years experience in Elgin Area School District U-46 under her belt, the veteran teacher was able to convince her students to overcome their fear of the medium enough to write their own original works.

"She was able to get them to express themselves in very interesting and beautiful ways," says fellow language arts teacher Kathy Bensch.

Last week, her seventh grade students met with grief counselors and school social workers, after they learned of Mrs. Lescht's passing. In coming to terms with her death, the students expressed their feelings in cards and stories, but they also wrote poetry.

A book filled with her students' original poetry was delivered to her family in Schaumburg, late last week.

Mrs. Lesht passed away on Thursday, after a 14-month battle with lung cancer. A non-smoker, the 33-year Schaumburg resident was 56.

Growing up in Joliet and later in Elgin, Mrs. Lesht had been involved in speech and drama, and she taught those subjects when she began her career at Tefft Middle School in Streamwood.

At Canton, Mrs. Lesht taught English to seventh graders on the "Super Nova Team," and she also taught Challenge English to gifted students.

"She was a very encouraging teacher, who always supported her students in positive ways," says Canton Principal James Hawkins. "She had a soft voice and never yelled, and rarely had a behavioral problem in her classroom. She had a mothering instinct, and the kids picked up on that."

As a tribute to Mrs. Lesht, Hawkins said school officials are considering donating more books to the school's library, inscribed with her name.

Outside the classroom, Mrs. Lesht inspired her fellow members of the Beth Tikvah Congregation, in Hoffman Estates, where she actively volunteered with its Sisterhood, and led them as president for two years.

"She was always so positive, and warm and welcoming, that everyone wanted to work for her," says Carol Meyer of Hoffman Estates. "She was able to lead by example. She rolled up her sleeves and pitched in with whatever was needed."

Colleagues say that Mrs. Lesht wrote a letter to her students when her illness forced her to step away from her classroom. She wanted to personally explain to them her reason for leaving, and how much she enjoyed being their teacher.

"She taught up until six weeks before she died," Bensch said. "She never wanted to retire, and she really thought up until the end, that she'd be back."

Mrs. Lesht is survived by her husband of 33 years, Steven, and children Robin and Scott.

Services were held previously.