Academic Standout- Spencer Claffey

Student Name: Spencer Claffey

House Team: Skye Peak

Date of Presentation: October 3rd, 2021

Faculty Presenter: Courtney O’Keefe

The KMS Teaching faculty is proud to recognize Spencer Claffey as our first Academic Standout for the 2022-2023 academic year! Spencer is an 8th Grade Freeski athlete, who comes to KMS from Mendon, Vermont. This young academic continues to impress our faculty with his steadfast dedication to his academics, his amazing contributions to classroom discussions, and his generous and kind nature. He is a true asset to both our classrooms and our overall learning community. We can think of no better student to recognize as our first Academic Standout of the year!

Putting forth the first nomination for Spencer is Social Studies Department Co-Chair and Middle School Humanities teacher Ian Groezinger. Ian writes, “Last year Spencer came to KMS and managed to set a rather lofty bar for himself. To say that he has hit the ground running is an understatement. Over the past month Spencer has been a standout in class from turning in high level work and volunteering to read out loud in class, to offering meaningful insight towards our class discussion; especially as it relates to our unit on the Patriot Act and its effect on modern day social media.

In addition to what he has done in class, Spencer has also sought out the additional challenge and responsibility that comes with joining our Student Council. Along with his older brother, Spencer has taken the lead in setting up the Bake Sale fundraiser for our new KMS Golf Team. He will be stationed at the Golf Tournament this Friday looking to raise money for our team polos, amongst other things. In the end, it is clear this student is looking to challenge himself this year, raising the bar to new heights. Please join me in congratulating this week’s Academic Standout: Spencer Claffey!”

Seconding Spencer’s nomination is Full-Term Spanish Teacher Ana Araguas. Ana reflects, “I am excited to nominate Spencer for academic standout this week. I nominated him for his high level of academic discipline, as well as his persistence in everything that he does within the classroom. Spencer is kind and compassionate to his classmates, and always has a smile when answering the questions.Overall, he is a thoughtful as well as responsible young man, and is an example for everyone in the classroom.”

Also supporting Spencer’s nomination is Academic Director April Hayden. April states, “Although I don't spend much time in the classroom, I was able to see Spencer in action while substituting in his Earth Science Course at the start of this year. Spencer stood out to me as respectful, attentive, and engaged learning within this class. For example, he was quick to answer questions about how Earth systems affect one another.”

And lastly, rounding out this list of nominations is Social Studies Department Co-Chair and Advisory Coordinator Courtney O’Keefe. Courtney writes, “I do not have Spencer as a student this year, which is unfortunate. That being said, he is one student that I hear about constantly from our teaching faculty as one of the best examples of academic dedication and persistence we find within our small community. To be held in such high regard by many of our amazing teaching faculty speaks volumes of this young man, and his qualities and skills as a learner. From his thoughtful contributions to whole class discussions, to his selfless dedication towards helping out his peers, to his polished work products- Spencer is a student that many are proud to have within their classroom. Teachers such as myself, who have not had him grace our classrooms as of yet, are excited to count him amongst our students in the future. I look forward to hearing more about this young academic as the year progresses. Congratulations on this recognition, Spencer!”

Join us in celebrating Spencer on his Academic Standout recognition this week! Way to start the year off on a strong note, Spencer! We are proud of you!