Teaching keeps one young, says Northside’s McSwain

Our featured educator this week, Janann Wright McSwain, is a Middle Georgia product, born and raised in Macon. She is a 1987 graduate of Southwest High School, earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Valdosta State College in 1992 and a Master’s degree in education from Georgia College and State University in 1998. She earned the Sallie Mae First Year Teacher Award in 1993, has been a multiple year recipient of Who’s Who Among America’s High School Teachers, and was a Cherry Blossom Princess in 1987. She has taught 25 years in the classroom – five years in Bibb County and is in her 20th year at Northside High. She has taught intervention, economics, U.S. history, government, world history and geography.

Why teaching?: There was never a time when I didn’t want to be a teacher. I loved school as a child and young adult. I loved the smell, the sounds, the teachers, and the whole environment of the school setting. I wanted to make a difference in the lives of students the way my former teachers had an impact on me. Although many, many teachers inspired me, my favorite teacher was (and still is) Ms. Evie Crumbliss from Southwest High School. She had a passion for history and social studies. She was the smartest person I had ever met, but she always made you feel like you were just as smart. Not only was she an amazing teacher, but she also took the time to know students on a personal level through journaling. I fell in love with learning more about the cultures and religions of the world in her class.

Best part of teaching: What I like most about teaching is that it keeps you young. I don’t have a job that contains me within four walls with the same people year after year, I have a job where I meet hundreds of new young people every year. We learn a lot from each other!

Most challenging part about teaching: The fast pace of technology. It’s impossible to stay ahead of and relevant to your students with all of the technology that is being introduced daily.

If not teaching, what?: If I were not teaching, I would open up my own personal shopping business to shop for shut-ins, the sick, and the elderly. Actually, I plan to do this when I retire.

Advice to students: Several things: 1. Learn all that you can while you are in school because after high school, education is no longer free. 2. No one owes you anything; you owe yourself everything! 3. Know your talents and abilities and make good choices about how you use them.

Advice to parents: Stayed involved in your child’s education until they graduate from college. They need you every step of the way.

Home life: Married to Scott McSwain. Daughter, Tabitha Clark, 31. Three grandchildren: Aiden, 9, Chloe, 7, and Ryder, 10 months. We have a Pekingese named Babs after my favorite performer, Barbra Streisand. I have a large extended family with whom I spend a great deal of time. I love to paint, any type of painting, but mostly for decoration. I love going antiquing, walking for exercise, traveling and shopping. I am a member of Lawrence Drive Baptist Church in Macon, the Seasons of Life Sunday school class, and a Vacation Bible School volunteer.

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