Spartanburg Co. teacher recognized before deployment

Bethany Fowler and Eriana Meadows

8 hours ago

BOILING SPRINGS, S.C. (WSPA) – A Spartanburg County teacher was recognized Friday morning before deployment.

According to Spartanburg School District 2, Ben Montry works as a seventh-grade math teacher and soccer coach at Boiling Springs Middle School.

Montry also serves as a member of the Army Reserves.

The school held a special recognition as he prepared to be deployed overseas.

“We hate to see him go, but we also know this is an outstanding opportunity for him to represent our country. We fully support him in this endeavor,” said Andy Rogers, Boiling Springs Middle School principal.

It was a surprise he will never forget.

“It feels absolutely amazing. I was not expecting any of this,” said Montry.

Montry was also named the district’s Difference Maker of the Week, which is presented each Friday to a student, staff member, or person in our District 2 community who is positively impacting those around them.

“He has inspired me to work harder in math and soccer and he’s making me reach my goals more because whenever I make mistakes, he’s always there to help me be better,” said student Michelle Barriga Valenzuela.

He was nominated by his principal.

“Our students and staff are sad to see him go because he’s built such great relationships with them throughout the school year, but they also understand that this is a sacrifice that he’s making,” said Rogers. “He gets a chance to go and serve our country and for us to be able to enjoy the freedom that we have here in the United States and here at Boiling Springs Middle is because of people like Mr. Montry.”

The school district said this is Montry’s first deployment.

Montry said he is excited about his next adventure serving our country and continuing his grandparents’ and father’s legacy.

“I wanted to fill in their shoes and do the same things they did,” said Montry.

He said this is a bittersweet moment in his life.

“It is heartwarming. It makes me happy, and it makes me sad, because I have to leave them for a long time,” said Montry.

While Montry is deployed overseas, the school will have a substitute teaching his classes.

They said they look forward to welcoming Mr. Montry to continue his teaching career once he gets back within the next year.