Reidland’s Sullivan Named Teacher of the Month

The West Kentucky Star Teacher of the Month for April is Spencer Sullivan. He’s no stranger to attention as he was just awarded the KMEA (Kentucky Music Education Association) Middle School Music Teacher of the Year for the 1st District. To say he’s a busy educator is an understatement! 

Mr. Sullivan is a typical teacher in that you will find him going “above and beyond.” What makes him popular is his empathy toward students. “He’s never afraid to go help a child. He’s part of the McKinney-Vento Act, so if there is a homeless child that is out of our district, Spencer takes his bus, wherever that is, and gets that child for school. That means he starts his day at 4 AM sometimes and often he doesn’t get home until 5 o’clock. It’s just above and beyond” said Lori Hyde, Reidland Middle School Principal. 

Mr. Spencer started with 25 students in choir at the beginning of the year, he ended the year with 55. In his first year at Reidland Middle and Intermediate, he’s excited to connect 4th and 5th graders with music and keep them participating as they transition through middle school. For next year’s 5th grade of 112 students, he’s got about half signed up for band, choir or both! 

When asked about what he wants his students to learn from him: “The reason why I love being a middle school teacher is because I moved from Orlando [Florida] to Livingston County in 6th grade. It was a complete culture shock. Middle school in general is a hard time for kids, so I can relate. Get through this. Push through this. Perseverance. Fortitude. That’s what I like to instill.”

West Kentucky Star Teacher of the Month, sponsored by Scott Walker Construction, is awarded each month of the school year. All 10 Teachers of the Month from the 2022-2023 school year will be considered for the favorite teacher in the 2023 West Kentucky Star Teacher of the Year.

Pictured above: Lori Hyde-Reidland Middle Principal, Scott Walker, winner Spencer Sullivan, Kelly Walker and Shawn Thomas-Reidland Intermediate Principal.