An extraordinary Newtown teacher, Kathy Swift dedicated herself to the district, its families, and its students for 39 years, retiring in 2023. Kathy’s talent, commitment, tenacity, and empathy are hallmarks of her teaching and the way she lives her life. Her family and friends know her as a vital force, centered by a moral and spiritual compass.
Throughout her career, Kathy worked with colleagues and administrators on new teacher development, national accreditation, curriculum writing, and many other initiatives. Her classroom, however, was primary and the place where her vision of teaching came to life. Kathy dedicated herself to the students who were right in front of her every day, trying new ideas and proven methods to attain the best outcomes.
With her focus directly on her students, Kathy’s principled work ethic and perseverance woven in kindness opened opportunities where her students may not have seen any possibilities. She helped students set goals for themselves, enabling them to become thinkers who could safely try out different perspectives and accept others who were also doing that. She taught that to value others, learning to work with and for others is the best path. For Kathy, every student counts and has a gift to offer. Her service to Newtown has led to service in the communities where over 4,000 of her students now live.
Kathy’s legacy is not actually this scholarship, but is living in the students she has shaped, the families and colleagues she has supported, and the district she has served. We want this scholarship to benefit a student who has an interest in serving others, respects diverse views, and seeks to build community through valuing both self-worth and the worth of others.
Joann Swift Bouchard, Joan Brand, Jan Lee Brookes, Katharine Dougherty, Martha Parvis, and Amy Swift