Mr. Fletcher is the first person from the GCNKY Chapter to receive this award. Mr. Fletcher teaches the First Tee curriculum to students in both traditional and adaptive physical education classes and has been a partner teacher with the organization since 2019.
“I am so honored to be named First Tee Teacher of the Year,” Fletcher said. “While this award is mine, it would never have been possible without Amanda's amazing students, so I consider it theirs as well.”
Part of the outreach program Fletcher is involved with is the school's program, which serves 90 schools in the region and provides miniature tennis balls, Velcro targets, and a curriculum to teach golf in physical education classes. They offer oversized plastic golf clubs.
“I tie the program into Masters Golf Week and teach golf during that time,” Fletcher said. “Last year, a program school manager approached me about how they teach golf to their special needs students. Incorporated led us to spearhead the idea of offering adaptive golf lessons in the First Tee program for the 2024 program year,” said Fletcher, who has been teaching at Amanda since 2015.
Fletcher was honored by First Tee officials at a ceremony at Glenview Golf Course in northern Hamilton County last month.
In a statement, First Tee recognized its dedication over the past year to delivering the First Tee curriculum while also meeting the needs of students across age groups who face a variety of physical and academic challenges. Mr. Fletcher was selected for the election.
Since 2004, First Tee has integrated the First Tee School program into physical education classes across the country. Its curriculum is built around the game of golf, positively impacting children through both the game and golf's inherent ability to improve social-emotional learning (SEL) skills.
“It's great that people outside of Middletown are taking notice of our efforts,” Fletcher said.
