News : VSHS teacher Fleming a finalist for Iowa Teacher of the Year

Louise Fleming, the former Ag teacher and currently a high school instructional coach and co-FFA advisor, was named one of the four Iowa Teacher of the Year finalists.

The award ultimately went to long-time Fairfield English teacher Scott Slechta. Gov. Terry Branstad presented the award to Slechta at a special ceremony this week.

"Mrs. Fleming makes a lasting impact on those around her in very positive ways," says Vinton-Shellsburg Superintendent Mary Jo Hainstock.

Mrs. Fleming came from Jesup five years ago after the retirement of Duane Fisher. Under hear leadership the Ag program added hydroponics and fish farming. And with the help of many in the agriculture/business community, she led the effort to build "The Barn," one of the first ag labs for a high school in Iowa. The V-S FFA chapter and its members have earned many state and national honors during her tenure.

"Please join me in congratulating Mrs. Fleming on this huge honor," said Hainstock. "Throughout the process, she represented herself, the high school and the district very positively and professionally. After she was nominated, she was reluctant to complete the paperwork but several of us encouraged her to do so."

The Iowa Teacher of the Year award was established in 1958. The annual program is sponsored by the Iowa Department of Education through an appropriation from the Iowa Legislature. Honorees serve as ambassadors to education and act as liaisons to schools, higher education, and organizations across the state.