Nominee’s Name:  Michele Fleer 

Building:  Stewart 

Subject/Grade Level taught:   Grade 2 

Years of Service:  20+ 

Professional Organizations/Offices held: NEA,

                      SDEA, YEA member, Past President

                        of YEA, Yankton Reading

 Council member and past President                    

Community Organizations:  UCC  

I would like to recognize  Michele Fleer as the YEA Teacher of the Year because: 

Michele has been at Stewart School since 1987, first teaching special education/resource room students, and then moving into the classroom teaching second grade.  She has many, many interests, but writing and reading are two very important topics to her.  She has been involved with the Dakota Writing Project for a number of years.  She inserviced elementary teachers on writing poetry in their classrooms and has published an article entitled, “Beyond Pink is a Rose” for the Fall Quarterly Dakota Writing Project 2002 publication.  Being an avid reader herself, Michele was instrumental in forming the Stewart School Book Club and continues to serve as the group’s moderator.  Michele has served as SD Reading Council State Convention Chair, Yankton Reading Council President, and as President of YEA.  She is also very involved with her church, the United Church of Christ. 

Michele most recently returned this past January from a trip to India where she participated in a cultural immersion project. She has spoken to various groups about her experiences. 

Michele’s involvement and dedication to her students, her school, her church, and community make her an excellent candidate for YEA Teacher of the Year.