NAME:
Miss Alyssha Swanson
SCHOOL:
Pacific Northwest Academy
CLASS:
Kindergarten/1st Grade
SCHOOL PHONE:
503-582-8838
In my spare time, you can catch me in any one of my favorite activities that
include running, cycling, baking, playing with my dog Daisy, gardening, and
creating art. During summers and vacations, I love to travel, even if it is
just a short trip to the Oregon Coast. Most recently, I trekked through the
Greek islands followed by a language program at the Sorbonne in
Paris. I love learning new languages and am currently trying to maintain my
French. It is a special language to me because my grandmother was French and
as a child, I was very intrigued by her and her culture. In my classroom, I
try to introduce many cultures from around the world so that children can
develop their own sense of life around our beautiful planet.
I have been fortunate to have a solid education throughout my life. I grew up
in rural Southern Oregon. My primary school classes were always small (no
greater than 12) and I had amazing teachers. From eighth to twelfth grade, I
attended St. Mary's in Medford, Oregon. It is a small, academically-focused
private school similar to Pacific Northwest Academy. My classes were
challenging and always interesting and the teachers were incredible! I feel
lucky to now be teaching at a school that shares those same qualities. In
2001, I graduated with my B.S. in Elementary Education from the University of
Oregon which is the second ranked Education program in the nation. Three
years later, I followed with my Masters in Education from George Fox
University in Newberg, Oregon and received my state teaching certification.
In my future, I would love to pursue more education, and possibly a doctorate
degree. I have never wanted to stop learning and I have always wanted to
figure out how things work. I feel like my education has taught me so much
about how I can best teach children. Overall, I hope I can leave them with
the same love of learning that I have always had.
My three main areas of focus in the classroom are:
1. Community and character building
2. Creating a love of learning
3. Developing strong literacy skills
