April 2019 Winner - Machelle Spencer:(Northeast High School)
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Meridian Star Article
Northeast High School math teacher Machelle Spencer surprised her class with Cinnamon Bun Cake Thursday morning not knowing she was about to receive a surprise of her own.
For her support of all students, inside and outside the classroom, Spencer was indeed surprised when she was chosen April's Golden Apple winner at an assembly with students, family and friends witnessing the presentation.
"Winning was awesome, I never dreamed that I could win this," Spencer said. "An award that to me is the dedication you have shown to your job, and to get appreciation from the students that you have made a difference in their lives. I still can't believe it."
Northeast High School Principal Tim Moore described Spencer as someone who always goes the extra mile.
"She comes in early and stays late if she needs to – that's the thing about it, she's always willing to provide that extra help whenever it's needed," Moore said. "She has a large expectation of her students and holds them to that. There is one thing we have learned about kids. If you hold them to that expectation they are going to come up to it.
"She does a wonderful job of doing it."
Northeast High School math teacher Machelle Spencer was surprised at an assembly Thursday when she won April's Golden Apple Award.
A letter nominating Spencer said this teacher supports her students not only in the classroom but outside the classroom as well.
"She understands that students have lives outside of school and play sports, and she takes that into consideration," the letter stated. "She is at most of the athletic events and extracurricular activities always supporting the Trojans."
Spencer said she likes for the students to know somebody else besides their parents care about them.
"I enjoy coming up here whether it is to the baseball game, basketball game, or any activity they do," Spencer said. "I have a lot of (Junior ROTC) cadets in my classroom and recently went over to Jackson when they performed for their drill team."
Spencer who has been teaching Algebra 2, Algebra 3, and Geometry at Northeast High School for 21 years said teaching wasn't her first career choice, but she was always good at math in school.
"I started out as an accountant then went back to school to get a teaching certificate," Spencer said. "I just felt I could be better as a teacher. People were always asking me if I was a teacher. I heard that a lot, so I thought maybe I should pursue this.
Spencer said her classroom has an open door policy.
"If they need help they know that they can come in, and if they just want to hang out in my class, they know they can do that, too," Spencer said." "If they need anything extra I usually keep a snack drawer in my classroom. If they are down or need a pick-me-up they can go in that drawer and something will be provided for them there."
Daneel Konnar, a junior, said the amount of love Spencer pours in her classroom is something that can't be measured.
"Every day she comes in we sit down and do our work, but it's business," Konnar said. "We learn what we need to do, but also while she does that she is also treating us like her own kids. She is always there to listen to us whenever we need anything.
"She is always pushing us to be successful – preparing us for what we need to have in college."
Student Caroline Kercheval said she can't think of anyone more perfect and deserving to win the award.
"I tell her this all the time, she is not only my math teacher but my number one supporter, she is there for anything I need," Kercheval said. "She pushes me and challenges me to do the best I can. I actually was able to honor her with me as I graduated from Leadership Lauderdale.
"Getting to see her and some of the hard work she has always put in being paid back to her is something I am so than thankful she got to have."
Spencer's favorite thing about teaching? The love she has for her students, Spencer said.
"It is wonderful to know you are an important part of the student's lives and that they rely on things you do in the classroom, and as a person," Spencer said. "To just be there if they need an ear or help them with their homework, if that's what they need. My classroom is loose, as for the activity of students.
"We interact a lot and it's just an easy flow. I think if you show the students respect they are going to show it back to you, and that's what makes the dynamics of the classroom really flow.
"I have high expectations for the students in my classroom. I try to push them so they can achieve to the best of their abilities. They earn the grade they are given in my classroom."
Spencer said it's an awesome feeling as a teacher to have what you did in your classroom be meaningful to the students in their life and career.
"I saw a former student one day at Walmart and he told me he used what he learned in my class every day at his job as an electrician," Spencer said. "I've also had some to come back and tell me from what they learned in my class, they don't even have to study in college.
"That makes you feel good that you got through to them and they are achieving at an upper level."
Any plans for retirement?
"Probably in four years when I get my 25 years in, then I hope we can travel," Spencer said. "My 6-year-old grandson Colt lives in Brandon and is already a fantastic athlete, so I want to be able to go see him."
Spencer has been married to her husband, Ted, for 41 years. They have two children, Chase and Rachel. In her spare time, she likes to read, garden, and walk with her "Crazy Daisies."
