BISMARCK, ND (KXNET) — Simle Middle School teacher Leah Wheeling was honored as a North Dakota Teacher of the Year finalist on Wednesday, September 10.

Wheeling is the first of four nominees to be visited by the Superintendent of Public Instruction Kirsten Baesler, who will make her way across the state to meet with all four nominees before a winner is finally announced. Wheeling now plays the waiting game, and that comes with some nervous anticipation.

Wheeling teaches both physical education and digital literacy; she is also an adjunct professor at the University of Mary. Wheeling was a Wilderness firefighter for 4 years before becoming a public school teacher. She has been with Simle for 12 years.

Wheeling was honored at a brief ceremony with some of her students and colleagues in at

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