Justin Swasey

Headland, AL | 7-12, Mathematics, 2021

What motivates you to contribute to excellence in STEM teaching?

I enjoy seeing students learn math, science, and technology. My favorite moments are those "aha" instances where students finally understand a concept after persevering through I hope the next generation will lead this nation forward in STEM education. Seeing some of my former students become math teachers has encouraged me to continue growing and striving for excellence!

What has been the most transformative moment that affirmed your impact on STEM education?

Being recognized as a Presidential Awardee has been the most transformative moment in my career. The PAEMST Award affirmed the positive impact I have made on my students. I have been uplifted by the outpouring of positive feedback from former students, their parents, and various people throughout the community.

Using your platform as a Presidential Awardee, how do you hope to advance our nation in STEM?

Using my platform as a Presidential Awardee, I hope to empower fellow educators to use best practices in education even if they push them beyond their comfort zone. I also want to engage students in real-world activities to give them an opportunity to see what a STEM career might entail.

Biography

Justin Swasey has taught mathematics at Headland Middle School for the last 14 years. Previously, he spent one year teaching mathematics to 7th–12th grade students at The Opportunity Academy and one year teaching mathematics at Daleville Middle School. He also spent five years teaching as an adjunct instructor at Enterprise-Ozark Community College. Justin currently serves as the Mathematics Department Chair for Headland Middle School in addition to teaching Geometry to ninth grade students. Using engaging, challenging, cooperative lessons, Justin seeks to create memorable moments for his students. His instructional videos and after school tutoring serve as additional help for those who were absent or did not understand the lesson in class. His mathematics club incorporates interesting non-curricular tasks that challenge students to think deeply and work together to develop solutions. Justin trained novice and experienced teachers for two summers in five different locations across Alabama. He modeled rigorous lessons in Laying the Foundation which help students develop perseverance in Algebra I. Justin has been recognized for outstanding teaching throughout his career. As a substitute teacher, he received the teacher of the month award from Carroll High School. He has earned teacher of the year honors from Headland Middle twice and teacher of the year for Henry County Schools once. Justin earned his A.A. from Enterprise-Ozark Community College. He completed a B.S. in mathematics and an M.S. in mathematics education from Troy University. Justin finished his educational specialist degree in teacher leadership from the University of West Alabama. He is a National Board Certified Teacher. His Alabama teaching certificate allows him to teach 6th-12th grade mathematics.

High-resolution version of the teacher profile photograph

The views expressed in awardee profiles are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of NSF or the PAEMST program.