Title: 1) Teacher; 2) Co-Founder
Company: 1) Kalamazoo Public Schools; 2) Men of Purpose
Location: Portage, Michigan, United States
Anthony Dewayne Spencer, teacher at Kalamazoo Public Schools and co-founder of Men of Purpose LLC, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Educators for dedication, achievements, and leadership in education, mentorship and youth advocacy.
Born into poverty, Mr. Spencer has established himself as a teacher and mentor across a professional life of more than 35 years, devoting himself to lifting up young people growing up in similarly challenging circumstances. He fell in love with school during his youth, viewing it as a space where he could escape the difficulties of his home life, and where he was encouraged to learn and grow. After graduating from high school in 1987, Mr. Spencer served for two years in the U.S. Army. He remained on inactive duty for four years after that.
Seeking an opportunity after exiting the military, Mr. Spencer turned to the same place he had found solace as a kid: the school system. In 1989, he was hired by Kalamazoo Public Schools as a bus driver. Mr. Spencer went on to work for that institution in transportation for over 25 years. During this time, he also committed himself to pursuing further personal and professional growth, including higher education.
Culminating those efforts, Mr. Spencer stepped into the role of a teacher with Kalamazoo Public Schools in 2015. Since then, he has served as a teacher for second-, third- and fourth-grade students. Among his many accomplishments at Kalamazoo Public Schools, Mr. Spencer has implemented research-centered science lessons, overseen school activities like Literacy Night and generally invested in the success and learning potential of his students. He boasts an empathetic approach based on his grandmother’s belief in seeing the good in people, which has helped him forge strong connections with students, parents and colleagues.
Concurrently with his teaching work, Mr. Spencer co-founded a nonprofit organization, Men of Purpose, in 2018. This endeavor spun out of his time as an instructor, youth development supervisor and site coordinator at YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo for 20 years. At the request of the city commissioner, Mr. Spencer implemented youth mentoring and summer literacy programs at the YMCA. When those programs ended, he joined with his brother and several other concerned men in the community to create Men of Purpose. Through this group, Mr. Spencer provides young men in the area with male role models who can offer strong examples and guidance to boys trying to find their place in the world in the midst of underprivileged home lives. The organization has partnered with local universities, middle schools, government bodies and doctors, exposing the youth to the wider world and the many opportunities waiting for them in life.
Although he didn’t initially pursue higher education, Mr. Spencer showcased his persistence and dedication with his academic journey later in life, beginning with an Associate of Arts in elementary education and teaching from Kalamazoo Valley Community College in 2012. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and teaching from Western Michigan University in 2015. Subsequently, Mr. Spencer earned a Master of Education in literacy studies from the same institution in 2020. He is certified as a teacher in the state of Michigan.
Outside of his career, Mr. Spencer is a loving husband, father to two and grandfather to five. He considers his strong relationship with his sons to be the highlight of his life, and he’s deeply proud of having raised them to be strong, educated men and great fathers in their own right. As he considers his future, Mr. Spencer is excited by the possibility of moving into an administrative role, such as a principal, which would allow him to serve the school in a greater capacity. He also looks forward to continuing his efforts with Men of Purpose, including organizing a new summer camp and mentorship opportunities for kids in the program.
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