By Annabelle Blair | Echo
"The education department is a very special department; it's very cohesive. We're all teachers."
After 35 years as a middle school teacher in a public school, Neva Schwartz made the transition to college professor in the education department at Taylor in 2007. She had previously worked with student teachers from Taylor and knew they were well-prepared. "It just seemed like a good fit," Schwartz said.
One of her accomplishments in the education department is bringing a sense of order to students' scheduling problems and advocating for many of the secondary education students. Students have appreciated her open door policy, Schwartz said.
With retirement, Schwartz will be transitioning to an online program that works with students who have graduated and want to go into teaching from another career. She also has plans to travel this summer and fall. "I'm going to do the normal grandkid stuff," she said.
Schwartz is passionate about learning and stressed the belief that everyone can learn. She is excited to see Taylor students go out into the public school system as educators. "She really, really knows her stuff," said senior John Vahle. "She's able to guide us through how to prepare for our exam as well as general help with getting hired."
Neva Schwartz is one of several faculty members retiring at Taylor in 2016.
