Tom Fleming wins the 2017 Founders' Cup Award!
Congratulations to the legendary Tom Fleming, who was named the recipient of the 2017 Founders' Cup for Teaching Excellence. Presented annually by the Alumni Association, the Founders' Cup is based on nominations from all MKA constituencies. The award honors a full-time faculty member who exemplifies the highest levels of teaching and who contributes to the well-being of the MKA community, both in and out of school.
An integral part of our school's community, Tom tragically passed away this past April. He had been at MKA for 18 years, most recently holding the position of fourth grade teacher and the varsity boys and girls Head Coach in cross-country and track and field. Fleming was an American distance runner; 2-time NYC Marathon champion, outstanding coach, beloved teacher, exceptional colleague and extraordinary mentor. He groomed a number of the top distance runners in New Jersey in the last two decades, including three of the best in MKA school history. He said his greatest thrill was seeing his young athletes improve their times, distances and heights, and always striving to do the work necessary to be the best they can be. "I've enjoyed coaching the kids at MKA where they are the epitome of the student-athlete, and they strive to eventually attend the finest colleges they can."
Alumni Council president Jaclyn Spedaliere '00 presented the award at the end of year faculty meeting stating, "Every mind was important to him and he felt it worth his time to search for just the right keys to open that mind. But what put him head and shoulders above the rest was not anything he learned while he earned his teaching credentials. He is receiving this award today because of an unmatched level of kindness, a truly loving spirit, and the heart of an angel. This man could instill a measure of confidence in his students and could share encouragement from a very natural ability. He was truly capable of moving a person's perception of themselves further along a positive path. While this was not a skill he was trained in, this was just an artful display of his genetically coded talent, rooted in a heart of gold. We all saw something very special in him, because he made us all feel like he saw something very special in each of us." Jaclyn also read quotes from students, alumni, parents, and peers received on Tom's behalf, among which were the following:
"Mr. Fleming was a teacher and inspiration to all of us even those who did not have him as a teacher. He greeted us all everyday in his hallway and wanted each of us to do all that we could to achieve our dreams." Taylor Everson, Student
"Amazing 4th grade teacher, inspirational advisor, motivating track coach, passed his knowledge onto others, he had a vision for all of his athletes and students, his integrity was admired by countless other teams, athletes and the running world" Clifford Finkle, Alumnus/Trustee
"Tom Fleming embodied the most wonderful qualities of MKA both while he was here and after his passing. Mr. Fleming had a way of encouraging his students both in and out of the class. Tom developed a teaching process that allowed children to reach their own potential. Personal Best as he would call it, PB. What more can one teacher ask for from his athletes and students. He taught inclusion for everyone. Accept people for who they are and embrace their differences. Tom Fleming was truly one of a kind. One that should have been recognized in life but one that I hope will be recognized in death. His affects reach far beyond the classroom. A Founders Cup recipient already in all of our minds but one that should be written in the books." Jamie Decter, Alumna/Parent
"He made me realize the school is a place to learn, but also to grow and have fun." Hannah Ewing, Student