Ms. Spears has been at SMS longer than any other faculty member. Teaching British Literature and AP Literature, she focuses on teaching girls to write clearly and appreciate all types of literature, from poetry to novels to theatre. "It is important to me to teach students to be independent learners; to see literature as a reflection of life; to value the lessons it has to teach.”

Her passion for literature and teaching has earned her many honors, including Who's Who among American High School Teachers and the first recipient, Robert Carter & Toole Rotter Wellford Faculty Award, 2001.  In addition, she is a member of the National Council of Teachers of English, the National Association of Scholars, and the Content Review Committee of The Virginia Standards of Learning 8th Grade Writing Tests.

She lives on campus.