Swinton Recognized For Teaching Excellence

The South Carolina Board of Education recognized the Teacher of Year and the four finalists for the award Wednesday afternoon.

The Teacher of the Year receives $25,000 and a BMW to drive for one year. Finalists receive $10,000 each.

Amy McAllister-Skinner was named SC’s Teacher of the Year during the annual awards ceremony on May 1. McAllister-Skinner teaches English at Johnsonville High School in Florence District 5.

One of the four finalists was Patricia Swinton, eleventh and twelfth-grade Biology teacher at A.C. Flora High School in Richland District One.

Swinton, who has taught for 33 years, earned her undergraduate degree from Long Island University, her master’s degree from Hofstra University in New York, and an E.D.S, or specialist in education, degree from Jackson State University. Swinton is also National Board Certified and teaches human anatomy and physiology.

Swinton said she went into teaching because she loves children.

“I love having an impact,” she said. “And giving them the skills, knowledge and information to be productive.”

Swinton said she decided to go into teaching after her time as a student-teacher.

“It was not my first love,” said Swinton of teaching, who initially wanted to work in cancer research. “But once I saw students impacted — I knew this is what I wanted to do: Impact the world by touching our children.”

Swinton said she has seen many changes since she began teaching in 1967, when the biggest discipline problem was students putting chewing gum under school desks.

“The concerns have become deeper,” she said. “We now have resource officers, and we have a zero tolerance policy for students. They’re not given a second chance.”

Swinton added that technology, too, has greatly changed her field.

“Children are still children,” she said. “Still, children want to matter, they want to feel important.”

The Teacher of the Year and finalists are chosen by a educators and citizens with no connection to the agency, according the Board of Education.