“I will always continually learn and try new instructional methodologies in my pursuit of excellence in teaching. I will seek out new project based learning opportunities, work based learning experiences and expose students to the latest development in new automotive technologies. I believe in my 15 years at Monte Vista High School, I have achieved a mastery level of teaching that has created a learning culture where my students thrive and feel comfortable.”

Michael Fleming teaches automotive at Monte Vista High School in Spring Valley, California. Fleming transitioned from being a master ASE and Ford technician to teaching, when the teachers in his neighborhood asked him to participate in career days at local elementary schools. He fell in love with teaching and soon earned a bachelor’s and master’s in education. After three years teaching in elementary school, he was recruited by a local high school guidance counselor to replace the retiring automotive teacher at Monte Vista High. He jumped at the opportunity to merge his love for automotive service with education.

Fleming teaches his students how to repair vehicles through project-based learning that allows students to repair cars from their community. By repairing community vehicles, Fleming ensures that his students have access to newer and varying vehicles, so that when they leave his classroom they are equipped to repair any make and model. Each vehicle is repaired by four to six students that divide the work based on their personal preference. His National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation-accredited program is designed to gradually transition students from demonstration-based instruction to a level of mastery that allows them to properly diagnose and repair a vehicle without Fleming’s help. His students showcase their mastery in competitions like the SkillsUSA automotive state championship, where one of his students recently became the first ever Monte Vista High School student to win first place.

Notes of Excellence

  • Fleming received the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Industry Education Alliance Outstanding Instructor award for the West Region in 2015.
  • Fleming has been a ASE certified master technician since 1989, and was named the Grossmont Union High School
  • District District Teacher of the Year in 2024.
    In the 2022-23 school year, his 133 students earned a total of 749 industry-based certifications.