Polk County Public Schools announced on Wednesday the district’s winner for its 2023 teacher of the year.
Natalie McSwain, a Spanish teacher at Lake Gibson High, is the 2023 Polk County Teacher of the Year, the district posted on its website.
McSwain receives a $5,000 check and the use of a Hyundai Elantra for two years. “I love my students. I love what I teach,” she said.
McSwain stood out “for her excellent communications skills, helping to translate important information for Spanish-speaking parents so they are kept informed,” the district said.
She also is a classroom “innovator” based on her teaching methods. She decided to remove desks and arrange her students in chairs for group discussions.
McSwain researched the technique and sees her students’ abilities to speak, read and write Spanish growing every day. She also does not use textbooks and after they complete their lessons, she offers them “brain breaks.”
The catch is after they spin a wheel to determine which type of brain break they get, all the options are in Spanish giving them another way to learn the language. There is a triangle space on the wheel for roca, papel, tijeras (rock, paper, scissors), veo veo (I spy..), charadas (charades) and cuatro esquinas (four corners), among other restful activities.
The Lake Gibson administrators said they often take other teachers to McSwain’s classroom to observe her techniques. She also is heavily involved in school activities and professional development events and has served as the girl’s lacrosse coach.
McSwain is “adored” by the LGHS community and considered a “force of nature,” the district said.
McSwain will be entered into the competition for the state of Florida title, which is held each year by the Florida Department of Education.