Leslie Poynter is the Group Leader for the Rural Education Achievement Programs (REAP) at the U.S. Department of Education (Department). She brings to this role experience as a program officer in the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education as well as in the Office of Special Education Programs. Prior to joining the Department, Leslie taught at a junior high school near Phoenix, Arizona. Leslie holds a B.A. from the University of California, Santa Barbara; an M.Ed. from Arizona State University; and a J.D. from the University of California, Davis.