Former TKA assistant brings law background into teaching

photo by Mae Bearden To become licensed, attorneys are required to pass the state bar exam. The year Mrs. Cheri De Leon took the California bar exam, it was three days long and, according to The State Bar of California, had a 49% pass rate.

Mrs. Cheri De Leon, a former practicing attorney, started teaching dual-enrolled American Government and high school Careers and Finance after three years of being an assistant at The King’s Academy. This transition was aided by her background as a licensed attorney in California and her experience assisting in Careers class.

“I believe that my law background and litigation experience can provide an added dimension to each of the classes,” Mrs. De Leon said. “For Careers, I can share about further education, changing careers and how a degree can open up other opportunities ... For the government class, I can provide further insight into the judiciary’s role in how it shapes the world, makes laws [and] impacts our government.”

Hoping to expand TKA’s dual enrollment program, Mrs. De Leon inquired with the school’s admin and Chattahoochee Technical College if her prior education and previous work in law qualified her to teach American Government. Chatt Tech approved her credentials, permitting her to teach the dual enrollment class located at the high school. Through this course, she provides participating students with college credit and deeper understanding of the government’s operation.

“I really admire how she constantly has a lot of work to get done, but she never complains about it,” senior Abby Deweese said. “She seems like she really finds joy in teaching students and is happy to do extra work if you need it.”

In 2022, Mrs. De Leon started assisting at the high school. She helped with various classes but consistently served in Mrs. Kelli Seller’s Careers class. Over the years, she received opportunities to teach in Mrs. Seller’s absence. Because of her familiarity with the material, Mrs. De Leon agreed to take one of the Careers class teaching positions this year upon hearing the previous teacher was moving out of state.

“I really enjoy both the classes that I am currently privileged to teach,” Mrs. De Leon said. “I have had many different jobs and have changed my career several times, so I love being able to share those experiences and what I have learned through the processes with the 11th graders as they are embarking on their journeys.”

Mrs. De Leon’s passion for law and psychology stems from her middle and high school days. After getting her bachelor’s in psychology, she enrolled in Loyola Law School in downtown Los Angeles. Upon successfully graduating, passing the bar exam and becoming a registered attorney, she practiced law for several years before taking time off to home school her two kids, Jake and Bekah. In 2021, the De Leons moved from California to Georgia. Mrs. De Leon chose to get involved at TKA where her children attended rather than become licensed as a lawyer in Georgia.

“I truly believe that King’s is a really special place,” Mrs. De Leon said. “It’s wonderful to be in an environment with people that love God and are trying really hard to do their best by Him and be an example to the next generation.”