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Spencer is a loving father of 5 daughters, who also happens to be their elementary school principal. This past summer he almost died while on a family vacation. He has a rare life threatening disorder that causing his blood to clot too easily and the experimental chemo-like treatment leaves his immune system wiped out. Spencer is trying to make the most out of his second chance at life by paying it forward and focusing on family. He lives with the daily reminder that his next mini-stroke could in fact be a major stroke or heart attack, which could potentially end his life.

After fighting for life in the hospital, he resigned as principal of an alternative high school and took the job as Mackay’s Elementary School Principal. The much smaller school district and remote location has allowed for more time with and focus on his family.

Mackay School District is a small poor rural school located deep in the middle of the Rocky Mountains. The school district is on a 4-day week, has cut music, art, most electives, and still has chalkboards in their classrooms.

The current methods of funding rural schools are not fair or equal. They do not provide the district the support and resources it needs to keep pace with today’s educational demands. The students receive a good education from the district’s passionate and committed teachers and support at home from loving parents – but Spencer feels he has the opportunity and an obligation to work to ensure that the students at Mackay Elementary School receive a fair and equitable education.

Spencer and his wife have devoted the past year to finding funding for the elementary school. So, far they have raised around $25,000 and are waiting to hear back on another $100,000 in grants. Spencer has been relentless in his efforts to get the funded needed for his school. It has required hours and hours of research and grant writing. It is not easy to find corporations who are willing to support a small poor rural school in the middle of nowhere.

He continues to look into every funding option and is determined to raise enough money to provide his students with a safe school and much needed basic music, PE, math and science materials. $10,000 and an article in GQ would go a long way in helping the students at Mackay Elementary acquire the basic educational supplies they so desperately need.