Jon Lars Swanson teaches three elective science courses for upperclassmen—oceanography, environmental science, and biology—at Edwin O. Smith High School in Storrs-Mansfield, CT. During his six-year tenure at the high school, he has served as a State-trained mentor of beginning teachers and as a supervisor of student teachers and interns.
Mr. Swanson organized a scuba club for students that allows them to focus more closely on wildlife preservation and biological issues. He has also proposed an Alternate Energy Learning Center. Students would track weather data and alternate energy production efficiency from this Center.
Mr. Swanson is known as a dynamic, engaging, dedicated, and talented professional educator. As an effective communicator, he seeks to develop student interests without regard to ability. He is seen as a leader and as one who shares his knowledge with other science teachers; colleagues indicate they have learned much from him. Mr. Swanson is resourceful; when equipment cuts were implemented at the school, he sought grants and other means of obtaining resources to support classroom activities such as a coral aquaculture facility.
Mr. Swanson has received multiple grants, including a U.S. Department of Agriculture Challenge Education Grant and Toyota Tapestry Grant. Each summer, Mr. Swanson supports a Teacher Education Program operated by the University of Connecticut (Storrs) College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Mr. Swanson is State certified in biology and general science. He has a B.S. in biological sciences from the University of Connecticut and an M.S. in plant science from the University of Connecticut at Storrs. Mr. Swanson has also earned graduate credits from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.