Selma Baptist named ‘Teacher of the Year’

Westwood Baptist Church, Selma, member Betty Carol Swindle was recently named the Alabama Independent School Association (AISA) “Teacher of the Year” in secondary schools for 2002. Every year AISA awards one elementary school teacher and one secondary school teacher in each of the three school size classifications, A, AA and AAA, for a total of six teachers.
   
“I don’t consider myself worthy,” Swindle said. “It was a very humbling experience.”
   
Swindle teaches Computer Science to 11th and 12th graders at Morgan Academy in Selma, a college-prep K-12 school. “I enjoy the computer field because it’s always changing,” she said. “That challenges me to keep learning.”
   
Swindle also teaches pre-algebra to seventh graders and works with both the junior high and senior high computer teams. And she coordinates the state AISA Technology Fair.
   
Swindle graduated from Judson College in 1984, then earned a master’s degree in math education from Auburn University in Montgomery while teaching at Morgan.
   
“I enjoyed my Judson years,” Swindle said, and all the memorable teachers who taught me. I had Drs. Jack Fowler, Dan Thornton, Thomas Wilson and George Williams. They’re the best.”
   
She believes Judson prepared her well and that all her professors focused on their students’ success. The AISA award process begins in the local school. Each school can elect two of its teachers as nominees. Each nominee is then asked to submit a resumé and co-worker and student letters of recommendation. A Montgomery committee makes the final decision.
   
“It means a lot to me to know that my students think enough of me to nominate me in the first place,” Swindle remarked. “That was totally unexpected and winning state was a tremendous surprise.”
   
Swindle has lived in Selma her entire life and is married to her high school sweetheart, Tommy Swindle. They have three children: Christopher, 15, Lauren, 10, and Andrew, 8 — all students at Morgan Academy. Swindle said she enjoys teaching and preparing her students for college.
   
“I love what I do,” she said. “I believe you have to love teaching to stay in it. I feel that this is where God wants me, and I’ll continue to do my best here until I feel led to do something different.” (JC)