Miss Alyssha Swanson
Kindergarten/FirstGrade

Alyssha has always known that she wanted to be a teacher. In 2001, she graduated with her BS in Educational Foundations from the University of Oregon, known for its early childhood reading and assessment programs. Then in 2005, she completed her Masters in the Arts of Teaching degree at George Fox University where she developed an appreciation for teaching with Best Practices and the Reggio Emilia approach. She has student taught and had formal classroom experiences in kindergarten through fifth grade. The 2007-2008 year is her third year teaching at PNA.

In her spare time, Miss Swanson enjoys hiking, running, playing with her dog, camping, spending time with her friends and family, and travel. In 2005 she studied French language and culture at the Sorbonne in Paris and toured the Greek islands. She has family and friends living in the French Alps that she tries to visit annually.

Alyssha’s recommendations praised her for her passion for teaching and dedication to children and families:

• “Boundless enthusiasm, friendliness, and a passion for teaching come to mind when I think of Miss Swanson.”
• “Classroom performance in the areas of preparation, pacing, and management is superior.”
• “She is very skilled in her instructional methods, handling questions and student responses sensitively, and creating an engaging and positive learning environment.”

Philosophy:
"I believe that it is my responsibility as a teacher to create a clear and empathetic learning environment for each student. By creating a classroom community where each student feels accepted and appreciated, I am actively engaging students in self-development. Classroom rules should be based on the principles of good character, and teachers should model good character for the students to observe. Additionally, students should be taught character through hands-on service activities that contribute to the school, the community, and society in general.

At PNA, I am most excited to be part of a community of parents and educators interested in providing a setting for children to fully develop emotionally, socially, and academically so that they have the opportunity to reach their highest potential. The small class sizes give me the opportunity to set high academic standards for each child while giving them the support needed to be successful."