Amy Swartz, Greenfield Intermediate School
Submitted photo
GREENFIELD – Amy Swartz doesn’t flinch when asked if she enjoys what she does for a living.
“I love it,” said the Greenfield-Central fourth-grade teacher.
Her commitment to students and ability to consistently exceed expectations earned Swartz the G-C Teacher of the Year award Aug. 1.
Swartz, of Greenfield Intermediate School, was among a group of eight teachers – one from each building – nominated for the award. She said having been nominated by her peers for the building award was an honor in itself, and she was pleased to be among such a group of teachers.
But when her name was called to receive the award – a ceramic apple with her name on it – “I was shocked, it was a big surprise, a big honor,” Swartz said.
Swartz is a fourth grade resource teacher for GIS, and works in the general education classroom with students with mild to moderate disabilities. She is alongside a general education teacher, and works in small groups with children.
“For my job, my students are performing below grade level academically, sometimes socially or emotionally too, so the growth that I can see in my kids is very rewarding,” Swartz said. “We have to work very hard at it but when you see that growth, even if it’s just a tiny bit of growth, that’s what’s rewarding.”
She said by fourth grade, some students are starting to feel a difference between themselves and their peers. She appreciates that G-C has a very inclusive teaching program, and she has a chance to work with students that need additional support and see the pride they achieve when they understand concepts of the classroom.
This is Swartz’ 13th year teaching, and her fifth year in the G-C district. At one point last year, Swartz had her hand in the entire fourth- through sixth-grade resource program due to personnel changes so part of the recognition was due to it being “kind of crazy there for a while,” she said.
Swartz is originally from Greenfield, and graduated from G-CHS in 2006. She said knowing the colleagues that were also up for the award and having heard all of the achievements in their classrooms, it was an honor to be selected.
Each Greenfield-Central building named a teacher of the year at the end of last school year, and from that pool the district-wide teacher of the year was chosen.
Others nominated for the award were Jessica Atwood, Eden Elementary; Kara Batton, JB Stephens Elementary; Lindsey Carey, Greenfield Central Junior High School; Jamie Thompson, Harris Elementary; Mechelle Smith, Maxwell intermediate; Annie Wing, Weston Elementary; and Krysha Voelz, Greenfield-Central High School.
Each nominee was selected by their respective building at the end of the 2021-22 school year. Those applications were then sent to a committee and the committee selected the winner through an evaluation process.
Scott Kern, human resources director for the district, said in an email that the finalists from each of the eight schools all positively influenced students in and beyond the classroom.
“The key word is beyond,” he said. “All master teachers go above and beyond what is expected and do whatever it takes to make sure students are learning and have the tools they need to be successful in life. Each of the eight candidates exemplify this reality, which made it a very difficult decision for the selection committee to choose just one.”
Kern said the Teacher of the Year award is presented annually to honor a teacher who has exemplified the district’s vision of “Learning for All; All for Learning.”
Swartz demonstrates a commitment to students and their learning; motivates students to learn and achieve at a high level; demonstrates commitment to the teaching profession; and consistently exceeds public expectations.
Devon Marine, GIS principal, said Swartz has been an integral part of the staff.
“She works tirelessly for the betterment of her students each and every day and is always looking for ways for we can improve as a special education department and as a staff,” Marine said in an email. “She is a leader amongst the staff, going above and beyond for students and colleagues.”
