Swanson retires after 27 years with Newton schools

One step into the third grade classroom of Lenette Swanson displays a safe and inviting atmosphere for learning, as fellow teacher June Clute said.

“During the school day, Lenette’s personality was always consistent,” said Clute, who works in the Library Media Center at Berg Elementary. “She was patient, calm, optimistic, trustworthy and sensitive. Students knew what to expect when they  walked through the door. From my point of view, the relationship Lenette had with her students was based on trust and mutual respect.”

Swanson retired last week after teaching in the Newton Community School District for 27 years. She describes her own classroom as one that is “calm, productive, controlled and relaxed.”

Swanson grew up on a farm in Buchanan County with three brothers. Her mother was a teacher in a one-room schoolhouse for 10 years in the 1940s.

“I think I always wanted to be a teacher,” Swanson said. “I love kids ... But I guess my mom was always my inspiration, and I grew up thinking I would be a teacher.”

Swanson graduated in 1975 from North Linn High School, a small consolidated school that combined three towns. Swanson then went to Mt. Mercy College in Cedar Rapids and received a degree in elementary education. While attending Mt. Mercy she met her husband, Doug Swanson of Newton.

Swanson taught nine years at Holy Trinity School in Des Moines and has spent the majority of her teaching years at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School where her husband and three kids attended school. She said, “TJ just really feels like home.”

While reminiscing about her long career as a teacher, Swanson said “it just goes by so fast.”

“I’ve impacted a lot of people, and I guess it’s been 36 years of teaching, and that is close to 1,000 students I’ve had,” said Swanson. “I feel like I’ve made an impact in those 180 days with my students each year, and I tried to provide a productive and positive experience. It’s always interesting to see their growth from the beginning to the end of the year as they change.”

Swanson also said her favorite part about teaching was not only the students and the fact that her days with the children were never monotonous, but also working with the adults and her colleagues — educators that were “driven” in their careers.

“Newton definitely has an impressive school district, and I certainly enjoyed my time here,” Swanson said. “The educators in our community are treated really well.”

Swanson said for 16 years, her third grade students would make a trip every Friday to a nursing home in Newton to do puzzles or crafts with the residents.

“The kids learned so much talking to the elderly residents and they looked forward to it every week,” she said. “They learned how to interact with people.”

Clute worked as a student teacher under Swanson several years ago and has been a good friend and colleague for more than 20 years. Clute said student teaching with Swanson was a positive experience.

“She was an incredible mentor with sound advice about best practice,” Clute said. “Today, I still reflect on our discussions about teaching and learning ... to define Lenette as a teacher, you need to look beyond her credentials and knowledge. She has the heart of a great teacher ... her actions in the classroom teach students compassion, empathy and kindness. Lenette inspires students to want to be better students and colleagues, better teachers.”

Swanson said teachers do not always look for so much recognition. Lisa Sharp, principal at Thomas Jefferson Elementary School, said Swanson has been receiving cards and letters of thanks, as well as a gift from the staff to commemorate her service and retirement.

“Mrs. Swanson has taught many years for the Newton Community School District and has touched the lives of many children in a positive way,” Sharp said. “The relationships she built with not only her students but others in the school had a positive effect on everyone. She was kind and respectful to all and in return, students were caring and respectful school citizens.  Mrs. Swanson was a great team player and was always happy to help out when it was needed. The staff at Thomas Jefferson and I will miss her greatly.”

Swanson plans to take her retirement one day at a time. She said she has no firm plans but hopes to spend more time with her grandkids and finally spoil herself with a lunch break that is longer than 30 minutes.

Contact Savannah Eadens at
newsroom@newtondailynews.com