Meet Mr. Buck

Michael R. Buck, M.Ed. is a veteran Spanish teacher with 38 years of experience helping students develop proficiency in Spanish while fostering an appreciation for Hispanic cultures. Throughout his career, he has taught Exploratory Spanish, Spanish I–IV, and onsite and dual-credit courses through Vincennes University and Ivy Tech Community College at Anderson Highland High School and Triton Central High School. His responsibilities have included curriculum development, professional development, differentiated instruction, student mentoring, and preparing learners for college-level language study.

Buck graduated from Anderson Highland High School in 1984 and earned a bachelor's degree from Ball State University in 1988, majoring in Spanish and Secondary Education with a minor in U.S. History. He received a Master of Education degree from Indiana Wesleyan University in 2001. His honors include the 2016 Lilly Endowment Award for My Cherokee Roots, National New Tech Network Exemplary Teacher (2010), Eli Lilly Influential Teacher Recognition (2005), Indianapolis Star Influential Teacher Awards (2007, 2009, and 2016), and Influential Teacher Awards from two West Point graduates.

Nine former students have become Spanish teachers, including Dr. Nicole Leach, former head of English Language Learning at the Indiana Department of Education. Buck has also coached football, basketball, wrestling, track and field, and golf. Outside the classroom, he enjoys creating educational resources, exploring history and genealogy, and spending time with friends.