April 12, 2022

The Fairview Park Schools and the community have another reason to celebrate this spring.

In February, Lewis F. Mayer Middle School English Language Arts teacher Kale Chevalier was recognized by the American Legion Department of Ohio as their Educator of the Year for 2022. 

According to the Legion’s website, the award was created in 1994 to recognize the work of teachers and administrators “in helping shape and direct the lives of the future of our state; the students in our Ohio schools.” 

The award is selected from 14 district educator nominees from throughout the state. Chevalier, also a member of American Legion Post 421 in Fairview Park, represented District 13, which covers Cuyahoga county and over 22 posts. There are over 500 American Legion Posts throughout the state that potentially submitted Educator of the Year nominations.

In his recommendation letter to the American Legion, Mayer Middle School Principal Christopher Vicha described Chevalier as a “very conscientious man who genuinely cares about the individuals within his classroom as well as those who are not fortunate enough to be instructed by him throughout the day.”

“Mr. Chevalier’s name is probably the name you hear most about in our house,” Kevin Conlan, Commander of Post 421 and parent of two Fairview Park students, explained. “He’s not just a teacher that walks in to fill a spot. The kids love him; everybody loves him. He goes above and beyond just teaching.”

Conlan expressed his excitement when he learned Chevalier was named not only the Teacher of the Year for District 13 but also the state winner.

“I was excited and proud,” Conlan said. “I left this meeting, and I’m texting the leaders in the district, in Cuyahoga county, and I’m letting them know. We made the city look good, and we made the teacher look good, the post look good, and made the whole district look good. It was our time to shine.”

Chevalier was invited by the American Legion to their mid-winter conference in Columbus in February to receive his award. After a tough two-plus years of teaching amidst a pandemic, Chevalier was grateful for the recognition and award ceremony.

“It definitely rejuvenated me after everything that’s been going on,” Chevalier said. “It felt nice to be recognized, making a difference. It’s a huge accomplishment.”

Chevalier’s path to becoming an educator is certainly unique. From 2001 to 2006, he served in the United States Army as part of the 101st Airborne Division based out of Fort Campbell Kentucky. After serving in both Iraq and Afghanistan, Chevalier was honorably discharged and returned home to earn his education degree from the University of Toledo. In 2011 he began his teaching career and started with the Fairview Park City Schools in 2014.

“In 2003, we were in Kuwait for about a month before George Bush declared war on Iraq,” Chevalier said. “We were right at the border. Right as he was making his speech, I was in one of the first convoys that went into Iraq. We had to set up the forward operating base for our helicopters.”

Although he values his military experience, Chevalier explained that becoming a teacher was always a career goal for him - a decision that his students and the district are grateful for.

“It was an honor getting it, seeing all the great teachers here and knowing a lot of the great teachers around in the area and the state,” Chevalier said of winning the award. “I was shocked and surprised when Mr. Vicha told me. I was even surprised that I got nominated, to tell you the truth.”

PHOTO CAPTION: (L-R): Mayer Middle School teacher Kale Chevalier accepts the Teacher of the Year Award from American Legion of Ohio Department Commander Jean Wilson.