Erica Swift of Herman Leimbach Elementary School in the Elk Grove Unified School District is SEVA Teacher of the Week.
Ms. Swift has been teaching for 17 years and is returning to the classroom this year after spending a number of years as a very successful computer resource teacher. Erica’s commitment to using technology as a tool for opening a world of learning possibilities is truly impressive. Ms. Swift helps her elementary students complete ambitious projects though focusing on pitch drills, planning, creating, and receiving feedback. She has instilled so much confidence in her students, that she has led students off-campus as reporters to capture stories from the surrounding community. Her students are proud of the projects they produce in her class and beyond.
It’s this well-rounded teaching that allows Ms. Swift’s students to be more critical consumers of the media they encounter on a daily basis. It also empowers them to share their own ideas through the media they create. In this, her student’s can begin to recognize biases in the media they consume, which is a very critical skill. Ms. Swift has been able to give her students the opportunity to share their voices beyond the classroom and show them the importance of staying on track and meeting a deadline. The SEVA program is lucky to have her.
