Flandreau School recognizes those who go above and beyond

Jose Martinez said that he was surprised to get a call from Flandreau Public Schools a month after he graduated from the district a few years back. School officials were curious if he’d be interested in coming back as an English Language Learners (ELL) Paraprofessional.
He took the job and now, nearly three years later, Martinez is being recognized as one of Flandreau’s Staff of the Year.
Martinez, along with two other Classified Staff and three Certified Staff, were chosen this spring as Flandreau’s Teachers/Staff of the Year. Alongside Martinez are Elementary School Secretary Amanda Benson (Classified) and Custodian Steve Brady (Classified).

Brady, who was chosen as the overall winner for Classified staff, said he’s not sure why he was given the award but he’s happy that others appreciate that he shows up every day and does his best to do a good job. He appreciates in return what Flandreau Public Schools have offered him the past eight years.
“I just wanted to be home every night, my other job working construction had me gone a lot,” Brady said.  
For Certified recognitions, 4th Grade Teacher and new Softball Coach Ryan Mallinger joins Elementary Title Teacher Ann Kuper and High School Band Teacher Pat Weight, who has been in the district 17 years. Weight was chosen as the overall Teacher of the Year for Certified Staff.
It was certainly a surprise as I feel that we have many amazing teachers on staff and I am humbled to be chosen by my colleagues,” he said.
Martinez, along with all  wer of the others, said they are honored with the recognition. In his case though, he appreciates the opportunity he’s been given to help others like him, succeed in school.
“Every year we have more and more ELL families coming. We need these kinds of resources for ELL families,” he said.