Nancy Sprengelmeyer was an educator at Coventry High School for over 30 years. She was a mentor to many while teaching and left behind the love she gave so freely to everyone, the love that changed us and made us better people. Just ask the hundreds of students she taught over the 30+ years she worked as an English teacher. Ask them how her love and support changed their lives. They will tell you the same story, that Nancy loved them through all their highs and lows, that she accepted them regardless of their strengths and weaknesses, that she truly believed inthem. She was their biggest cheerleader! She encouraged them, told them to reach for the stars, to never stop dreaming, to celebrate the person they were and someday would become! Nancy preferred teaching students who struggled in school, students who did not believe they could excel, students who her colleagues struggled with.

These were the students that Nancy took under her wing, she made them believe they could complete excellent. work. If their home life was in turmoil or their love life was a mess, she served as their confidante and counselor offering comfort when they needed it the most. It was not unusual for a former student to call her in the middle of the night in tears asking for her help. Having taught at CHS for so many years, it seemed like everyone in Town knew her and her reputation that she would help you out in your time of need, even if this need was financial. Somehow, she scraped the money together and helped, she was generous to a fault.

Nancy served as an advisor to many groups at CHS including the student council and cheerleaders. From 1982-1984 Nancy served as a member of the housing committee for the 1984 National Student Council Conference which placed 1500 students in host homes in our area. After retiring from teaching in 1999, Nancy continued to help students by serving on the Juvenile Hearing Board in Coventry. In 2002, Nancy was elected to the Coventry School Committee serving for 11 years where she served as Chairperson and as Vice Chairperson until her passing in 2013.

For Nancy, the best thing about serving on School Committee was her ability to continue her role advocating for students, not just the students from Coventry, but the students from across Rhode Island. Being on School Committee gave her a public voice; it gave her a place at the table, an ability to fight for what she truly believed in, what was best for all kids. For her accomplishments, we are proud to induct Nancy into the Coventry High school Alumni Hall of Fame.