Pam Swanson

Tell us why you became a teacher

I originally started in a business track and was hired at an elementary building as an educational assistant and learned quickly that I was making a difference in kids lives. I changed my path to elementary education, and it was one of the best decisions I ever made.

Tell us about your most memorable teaching experience

For several years, I created an intergenerational program where senior citizens from a local retirement home that would come visit my classroom and share stories. Seniors would read and share life stories with my students and students would share stories and technology with our senior citizens. To watch young students care for senior citizens, these students learned life lessons to care for people in a loving and caring way. It became one of my students favorite day of the month.

What would you do with the $25,000?

So many of my students come to school without without clean clothes without the hairbrush so I’d like to provide some basic needs for the students in my classroom beyond what I’m already doing.Next, I would also use this money to help my own children finish their college careers. Finally, provide some outreach programs that would allow students and seniors to be able to meet and share time together.