Congratulations to Micah Rieke on being the certificated staff member selected for the 2023 Chelan County Excellence recognition! The selection is a way to recognize and formally thank staff for their dedication, work ethic, and difference they make with students and colleagues.
Micah Rieke, the Certificated Employee of the Year, is the Physical Education (PE) Teacher at Icicle River Middle School (IRMS). Micah is a lifelong Cascade Kodiak and resident of Leavenworth. He was the salutatorian of CHS’ Class of 1998. After high school graduation, Micah attended Pacific Lutheran University (PLU) where he played basketball and majored in education. He graduated from PLU magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in education with endorsements in social studies and math. His first teaching job was at Burlington-Edison High School where he taught math and was an assistant to legendary basketball coach Rick Skeen. After his first year in education, he decided to attend Eastern Washington University (EWU) to pursue a master’s degree in sports psychology and a teaching endorsement in health and fitness. While at Eastern, he spent two years as a graduate assistant coach for the EWU men’s basketball team. His next position was at Meridian High School in Bellingham where he taught math and coached basketball. His first head coaching and PE job was at Cedarcrest High School in Duvall. During Micah’s 4-year tenure as head coach, he led the Red Wolves to their first state basketball appearance in 54 years! When a teaching position opened at IRMS, Micah knew it was time to return home. He has been the PE teacher at IRMS since 2012. He enjoys all the outdoor adventuring that Leavenworth has to offer while raising his two daughters in his hometown. Teaching PE in Leavenworth brings great joy to him because of the variety of physical activities he can introduce to students in such a beautiful area. Micah can now be found coaching girls AAU basketball and cheering on the Kodiaks from the announcing booth and the stands. He loves this community and truly believes ‘Once a Kodiak, always a Kodiak’!
