Michael E. Klinger
2013 Distinguished Alumnus Award Recipient
Michael E. Klinger, this year’s Alumnus of the Year is a 1960 graduate of Johnson Creek High School. He completed eight years of elementary school at St. Mary Magdalene School in Johnson Creek which closed after the 1963-64 school year. Following high school graduation, Mike went on to attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Education. Selected as one of twenty students from throughout the United States to participate in the Experienced Teacher Fellowship Program in Education/Spanish at UW Madison, Mike completed his MA in 1967. “Senor” Klinger, as he was referred to by his students, began his teaching career at St. John’s Military Academy in Delafield, Wisconsin. In 1968, he accepted a teaching position at Watertown High School where he taught until retiring in 2002. He received the Joseph and Sharon Darcy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Teaching in 2002.
Since teaching in Watertown, Mike often served as a Spanish interpreter for parent teacher conferences and assisted with report cards and school communications.
Mike has graciously volunteered his skills at local free medical clinics including the Rock River Free Clinic in Jefferson and currently volunteers at the Watertown Cares Clinic. He is also involved with Fiesta Cultural Latinoamericana.
A longtime member of St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Watertown, Mike serves as an usher and greeter. Since his retirement from teaching, Mike has pursued his interest in gardening and has received acknowledgment for his beautiful home gardens. He received the Watertown Garden Club Award and was one of the featured gardens in Ebert’s Garden Tour last year.
Mike and his wife, Nancy, live in Watertown. They have two daughters and three grandchildren.
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