FRANKLIN COUNTY, Va. – A local elementary school teacher has earned the state’s highest honor for teaching.
Anthony Swann, a fifth-grade teacher at Rocky Mount Elementary, was named the 2021 Virginia Teacher of the Year during a virtual ceremony on Thursday night.
“First of all, I’d like to thank God for the opportunity to serve his children. It’s been a dream of mine ever since I was 11 years old. Words cannot express how humbled and grateful I am to have this honor,” said Swann.
Swann was recognized for his commitment to his students by creating an inclusive environment and supporting his students' social and emotional health.
“I plan to utilize this opportunity to give hope to those students who feel that their current trauma or economic hardship is the end of their world. Teachers, together we have the ability to change one life at a time through our influence. Let’s continue to change the world, one child at a time," said Swann.
The honor is awarded annually by the Virginia Department of Education. Swann is now the state’s nominee for 2021 National Teacher of the Year, which will be awarded in the spring at a White House ceremony.
Swann spoke with 10 News the day after his win. He said he was inspired to teach after his teacher in fourth-grade comforted him during an emotionally traumatizing moment.
“Social services knocked on my classroom door to take me to a foster home,” Swann said. “My teacher, Miss Jerretta Wilson...she grabbed me, hugged me, and whispered in my ear, ‘Anthony, everything is going to be alright.’”
The Danville native grew up in foster care, but Swann said Wilson remained a role model for him throughout his childhood. He said Wilson was one of the first people to contact him after his win, which reminded him how important teachers can be.
“Teach for the love of your children," Swann said. "There is a child that is counting on your voice. If it had not been for my fourth grade teacher...her voice is what saved my life.”
Swann said the key to his teaching is being emotionally open with his children.
“I get on their level. I have never raised my voice at my children," Swann said. “I don’t just care for them in the classroom, I care for them outside as well. They find my room a safe haven and they have an open line of communication with me.”
State education leaders highlighted the work Swann does with mentoring students and life-skills coaching for fifth-grade boys through a program he started at Rocky Mount Elementary in 2019 called “Guys with Ties.” The students “dress to impress” twice a month and participate in lessons where they learn the importance of integrity, honesty and respect.
Swann also helped develop Rocky Mount Elementary’s “Cooperative Culture Initiative,” which school leaders said is a program that rewards students for their positive behavior. Leaders said the program has not only improved overall school culture, but it has reduced disciplinary referrals.
Swann was one of eight Virginia teachers in the running for the award:
- Sarah F. Jurewicz, a Culinary Arts I and II (Baking and Pastry Arts) teacher at the Chesterfield Career and Technical Center in Chesterfield County (Region 1)
- Alisa T. Smith, a Spanish teacher at Jamestown High in Williamsburg-James City County (Region 2)
- Kimberly G. Cannon, a U.S. History teacher at Stafford Middle in Stafford County (Region 3)
- Lisa M. Rode, a sixth-grade teacher at Kings Glen Elementary in Fairfax County (Region 4)
- Lisa S. Cooper, a first-grade teacher at Bessie Weller Elementary in Staunton (Region 5)
- Anthony Swann, a fifth-grade teacher at Rocky Mount Elementary in Franklin County (Region 6)
- Sarah M. Biggs, a first- and second-grade reading teacher at High Point Elementary in Washington County (Region 7)
- Victoria S. Soyars, a Geometry teacher at Park View High in Mecklenburg County (Region 8)
Swann started teaching in 2007 at Schoolfield Elementary in Danville. From 2013-2015, he taught at Stoney Creek Elementary in Caswell, North Carolina. Swann returned to Virginia in 2015, teaching at Johnson Elementary in Danville for two years before assuming his current position at Rock Mount Elementary in 2017.
Last year, another local teacher took home the award. The 2020 Teacher of the Year was Andrea Johnson, a 12th-grade English teacher at Salem High School.