Grad Track Teacher Spotlight: Molly Spencer

Barrow Arts and Sciences Academy (BASA) Molly Spencer is a shining star in her own right. She exhibits a zest for life and positive energy that is not only refreshing, but also encouraging. Coach Spencer is a BASA marketing teacher and manager of Common Grounds, the BASA concession area located in the SIMS Academy building. When she is not teaching classes or helping with Common Grounds, Coach Spencer can be found sponsoring the DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) and Young Life Clubs. In addition to being a club sponsor for two clubs, she is also a co-coach for the schoolwide PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) and leads the Sunshine Coalition. The Sunshine Coalition is a student supported club that seeks to add sunshine to the lives of the faculty and staff at BASA.

Coach Spencer is an important part of ensuring the success of BASA students who are on the Grad Track. Her positive energy and encouragement are what make students love her and look to her for advice and support. Fellow PBIS co-coach and colleague Nick Schuff shares, “Mrs. Molly Spencer is the gift that keeps on giving! Her energy is infectious, and she always knows how to make myself and those around her feel better. Her ability to generate ideas for our school, and her passion for growing a community are second-to-none. She truly cares about what type of products she puts out into the world, and she cares about making our school the best place for learning and fostering relationships it can be. She can balance her professional and personal life in a way that most people aren’t able to do and has been a role model for me in that way. We should all be very lucky that we have someone on our team as incredible as Mrs. Spencer. Thank you for all you do, Molly!”

Coach Spencer is also the Chairman of the BASA Student Governance Team (SGT). The SGT is comprised of a variety of stakeholders including teachers, parents/guardians, students, and community representatives. Fellow SGT member and BASA Innovative Learning Coach Gretchen Hollingsworth says, “Molly Spencer radiates positive energy and is full of enthusiasm! She supports and loves her students while also having high expectations. She inspires them to persevere through obstacles and excuses and encourages them to support each other.”

BASA is fortunate to have so many wonderful team members who make it a daily goal to positively impact the lives of students. Coach Spencer is one of those people. From her days as a UGA cheerleader to the present days where she is BASA’s biggest cheerleader, Molly Spencer truly makes a difference.

We are proud of our students who are on the “Grad Track.” A Grad Track student has either failed one or more academic classes and/or is behind in credits needed for graduation with their cohort class. Graduation Specialists at all three Barrow County School System (BCSS) high schools support students who meet these qualifications.