Leo Santiago, a veteran educator, will be working this fall to help the 2008 Hamilton Award winners develop their own personal vision statement. On November 18th, 2008, Leo facilitated a conversation with the '08 Winners on how to start thinking about their vision, how to write their vision and how to test the statement once it is written. In addition, Leo will be available to help students individually as they work to create their statements.

“Leo is the perfect candidate to work with our students,” said Joslin Boroughs, Director of Operations at Hamilton Friends. “Not only is he an experienced educator who will take the time to work with our students one on one, but he has a unique understanding of the importance of a strong vision.”

Leo began working with Hamilton Scholars this past June at the 2008 Hamilton Leader Week in Seattle. His charge was to help students improve the personal vision statements they had already written. Said George Cox, President of Hamilton Friends, “Leo did such a wonderful job helping our students to improve their vision statements that we wanted to get him involved before the Leader Week so that the students could get started earlier developing their thoughts and aligning their goals.”

All Hamilton Scholars are required to complete a vision statement in the first year of the program. It is a short paragraph that is meant to explain one's core self and values. It is meant to be a “rallying point” that students can turn to throughout their life to help guide their decision making. “The "vision" in a vision statement is who we truly are, it's our essence,” said Leo.  “It is something we can rely on and trust when life presents its bumps in the road.”

Leo has worked with students from kindergarten to adults.  The majority of his teaching has been with middle school students.  Passionate and dedicated to each student in the classroom, he focuses on their strengths and gifts and challenges the student to move beyond his or her comfort level.  His students often state that 'Mr. Santiago makes me think."

Leo has an eclectic set of hobbies and interests that range from skydiving, to fly fishing, to cooking and sewing.  He is a published photographer, poet, and has a few pieces of music recorded.  Currently, Leo plays ice hockey, tennis, and cycles.