2019 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 43
BY SENATOR PEACOCK
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To commend and congratulate Spencer J. Kiper upon receipt of the 2019 Louisiana Teacher
of the Year award from the Louisiana Department of Education and to recognize his
many contributions to education and the teaching profession.
WHEREAS, it is appropriate at this time that the Legislature of Louisiana
acknowledges the exuberance and expertise that STEM educator, Spencer Kiper, brings to
the classroom; and
WHEREAS, Spencer Kiper is an education specialist in the Science, Technology,
Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) enrichment curricula at Elm Grove Middle School
in Bossier City, Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Kiper is the first Bossier Parish teacher to win the overall Teacher
of the Year recognition and he will represent the state of Louisiana in the 2019 National
Teacher of the Year competition; and
WHEREAS, Spencer Kiper is an exceptional faculty member who has made
prodigious efforts to create a stronger cyber-technology presence in Northwest Louisiana,
to develop a more positive classroom environment with meaningful objectives to promote
student growth and STEM proficiency, and to curate learning opportunities that instill
industry-based skills and knowledge in his students; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Kiper is a proud graduate of the Bossier Parish School System and
has praised those educators who made an impact on his scholastic life and inspired him to
become a teacher; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Kiper possesses creditable academic credentials that include an
Associate's degree in General Studies from Bossier Parish Community College, a Bachelor
of Arts in English and Biology Education from LSU-S, a Master of Education in Educational
Technology from the American College of Education, graduate-level course work at
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Louisiana Tech University with emphasis in STEM and Cyber Education, and a Master of
Arts in Education, Administration, and Supervision from the University of Phoenix; and
WHEREAS, as a certified STEM education instructor, Mr. Kiper has developed
study units in robotics, 3D printing and manufacturing, aerospace technology, electronics,
computer science, and similar hands-on educational modules; and
WHEREAS, while providing extraordinary motivation in the classroom, Spencer
Kiper embraces the responsibility as an educator to demonstrate leadership at every level,
as a leadership committee member for Elm Grove Middle School, as an iSTEM initiative
workshop facilitator for the Caddo Parish School District, as a statewide Educator Voice
Louisiana Fellow, and as a national staff member for Aerospace Education with the Civil Air
Patrol; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Kiper has been honored with numerous awards and recognitions
that include Henry Ford Innovator of the Year, National Aerospace Teacher of the Year from
the Civil Air Patrol, Educator Crew Wings from the United States Space & Rocket Center,
2014 Teacher of the Year from Elm Grove Middle School, state and regional Middle School
Teacher of the Year from the Louisiana Association of Computer Using Educators, and an
Educators at Space Academy Fellowship from Honeywell International; and
WHEREAS, Spencer Kiper also provides instruction as an adjunct professor of
education at LSU-S in the fields of Educational Technology and STEM curricula; and
WHEREAS, he received an invitation from STEM Revolution to assist in the
implementation of a STREAM (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Art, and
Mathematics) training initiative in collaboration with the Ministry of Education of the
United Arab Emirates in Dubai; and
WHEREAS, STEM curriculum objectives purport to teach students how to approach
solutions to solve complex problems, develop effective communication skills, and engage
in a variety of meaningful ways with fellow students; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Kiper promotes these goals with inspiration and encouragement that
challenges his students to develop a lifelong interest in learning and to acquire those
analytical skills necessary to become effective decision makers; and
WHEREAS, on July 27, 2018, Spencer Kiper and other state-level honorees were
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celebrated at the Twelfth Annual Cecil J. Picard Educator Excellence Awards Gala; and
WHEREAS, the annual competition, hosted by the Louisiana State Department of
Education and the Dream Teachers nonprofit organization, recognizes several categories of
outstanding individual achievement in classroom instruction and school administration; it
exemplifies the highest honor bestowed on state educators by the department; and
WHEREAS, by upholding the highest standards of the teaching profession, Spencer
Kiper is most worthy of this prestigious award; he embodies excellence in instruction for his
chosen curriculum and devotion to the academic needs of his students; and
WHEREAS, Spencer Kiper has proved to be a superb educator with a myriad of
talents whose dedication to STEM education has been a priceless gift to the state of
Louisiana.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
commend and congratulate Spencer J. Kiper upon receipt of the 2019 Teacher of the Year
award from the Louisiana Department of Education and does hereby recognize his many
contributions to further STEM education.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
Spencer Kiper, Principal Jennifer Armond of Elm Grove Middle School, and Superintendent
Mitch Downey of the Bossier Parish School System.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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