Kathy Swift Honored As Outstanding Teacher

By Tanjua Damon

She is described as humble, dedicated, exemplary, focused, and a lifelong learner, but Kathy Swift would rather be in the classroom teaching her students about English than standing around receiving accolades.

Nonetheless, Ms Swift has received the Outstanding Teacher Award from the Connecticut Council for Teachers of English. She is quite modest in speaking about the recognition for her success as a teacher.

Ms Swift knew she was being considered for the award. Her colleague Joan Brand nominated her. The two have worked together over the past 17 years at Newtown High School.

“It was someone who saw me in the classroom,” Ms Swift said. “Excuse the cliché, but I’m humbled. The department is so strong. There are so many obvious choices, people who have given time and time again for the district. In some ways it is uncomfortable. It does highlight the Newtown staff. It recognizes everybody.”

After being nominated, Ms Swift had to submit a personal statement, resume, and letters of recommendation from administrators and colleagues.

“It started almost like a dialogue,” she said. “It was a reflection of what I try to do each day for the students, a balance of high standards with compassion and mercy. The problems they deal with today are problems that I would never have dreamed of when I started teaching.”

Ms Swift began her teaching career at Newtown High School 17 years ago. She has continued her quest to teach students English at all levels over the past 17 years.

“It’s my first and only teaching position,” she said. “I was a first year teacher when they took me on.”

Even though Ms Swift is humble about the award, she did admit to be a hard-working teacher who enjoys her job and the students.

“I work hard. I would be a lot more comfortable if the award said hard worker,” she said. “I try every day to be the best I can be on that day. But I would never say I was better than anyone else. I think our system is set up to do continuous learning. The support for professional development is there. I think the environment breeds people to do their best.”

Ms Swift offered her thanks at the school board meeting Tuesday night.

“I wanted to thank a district that did take a first-year teacher,” she said. “I really have tried to work hard my years here. If I had an idea, the answer was yes. Not just labels on a wall. They are ideas that are embedded in the heart. I hope everybody feels the acceptance and encouragement I have felt here at Newtown.”

Superintendent of Schools John R. Reed commended Ms Swift for her efforts and dedication to the Newtown school system over the last 17 years.

“From the beginning, she has been invested in teaching,” Dr Reed said. “She is a lifelong learner. Teachers who do get selected think they are a symbol for their colleagues.”

The school board members thanked Ms Swift also for the time and energy that she provides for numerous students attending school in Newtown.

“It’s a wonderful tribute that you are working with so many kids,” Elaine McClure, board chairman said. “What a delightful job it is for us to sit here and say thank you.”

Newtown High School Principal William Manfredonia praised Ms Swift for her focus and dedication to the high school.

“I’m so very proud of Kathy. It was a tremendous honor and well deserved,” he said. “I would call her exemplary. She works constantly. She loves what she does and she gets great results.”

Ms Swift will be presenting a talk at the National Teachers’ Conference in Florida this weekend on the continuing support Newtown offers to new teachers through their second year of teaching. She has also recently been named Professional Development Coordinator for the district and works closely with new teachers at the high school level.

Other Newtown teachers have also received the award – art teacher Joyce Hannah, social studies  teacher Jan Brookes, and art teacher Leslie Gunn.