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(Transcribed by TurboScribe. Go Unlimited to remove this message.) Spartan Excellence Award winner Kyle Kuzer is a

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special education teacher and a co-chair at

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Opelon Community High School.

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In his role, he must create many individualized

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lessons for many different subject areas in working

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with our students.

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He has worked so hard to make sure

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students get what they need.

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His day requires a lot of planning and

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he is always prepared.

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And then when he is done with the

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school day, he is the thrower's coach for

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the boys track team.

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Kyle is just one of those people that

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you do not have to ask to do

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things.

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He has drive to want to make things

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better for students and Opelon Community High School.

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He cares about this community.

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He is an alum after all.

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Some of this dedication may also come from

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the fact that he was in the Marine

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Corps.

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He proudly served his country and now we

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are lucky to have him.

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Kyle recognized the need for stronger home to

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school connections in the Structured Learning Resource Program

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and launched a weekly newsletter that he sends

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home to parents.

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He is consistently working to build relationships with

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parents in the program.

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He understands that a successful student program requires

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a supportive community behind it.

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He and Mrs. Sarah McDulcey, social worker, recently

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took the initiative to research and apply for

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a grant to establish a therapeutic gardening program.

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The project aims to provide students with hands

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-on learning opportunities.

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The fact that he sought this funding on

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his own time speaks volumes about his investment

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in his students' future.

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Once a Spartan, always a Spartan.

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A truly deserving recipient of the Spartan Excellence

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Award, Kyle Kuza.