Al Fleming had the opportunity to stick very close to home in a teaching career, which he describes as a rewarding experience throughout.
Al grew up in Toronto, attending Whitney P.S., the University of Toronto Schools, and the University of Toronto.
He taught at Harbord C.I. before returning to his alma mater, University of Toronto Schools, where he became both assistant principal and principal. While there he was active in helping to raise $15 million dollars for bursaries at the school.
Al taught Mathematics Specialist courses at the University of Toronto's Faculty of Education. He finished his career at the Alabama School of Mathematics and Science in Mobile, Alabama, and speaks fondly of the chance he had there to teach a different set of students and courses in a new culture. He also enjoyed working on contest preparation and marking for the Canadian Mathematcs Competition at the University of Waterloo.
His work with young people included sports: he has coached hockey, baseball, softball, basketball and tennis. He also helped to create a Boys and Girls Club in Toronto.
Al still speaks of the inspiration he got from Bruce MacLean who was one of his high school mathematics teachers. Al's students would undoubtedly feel the same way about him. In fact eleven of them have gone on to become Rhodes Scholars.