SWANSON READY AND EAGER TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
AT ROXBURY HIGH SCHOOL
by Mrs. Danielle K. Lynch, Director of Community Relations and Community School

9 September 2003, Succasunna, NJ…  While Jeff Swanson has been in educational administration for sixteen years, being a high school principal is a new and welcomed challenge for Mr. Jeff Swanson.

As principal of Roxbury High School, Mr. Swanson states, “I view myself as an educational leader.  I am here to learn what we do and to formulate plans to do it better.”  In order to accomplish this, Mr. Swanson said, “I want to establish and maintain a high degree of visibility with my staff and students.”

When reflecting on his first month as principal of Roxbury High School, Mr. Swanson states, “Every person I’ve met - teacher, administrator, secretary, custodian, food service representative - has been friendly, welcoming and enthusiastic.  The students have been the same.”

Mr. Swanson began his career in education as a teacher of Social Studies at Mount Olive High School.  With a smile on his face, he recalled the interviewing process to obtain that position;  “My first interview for the Social Studies teacher position was with Dr. William Librera, who is now the Commissioner of Education.”

Mr. Swanson went on to teach Social Studies at Mount Olive High School for ten years.  During this time, he obtained his Masters Degree in History from East Stroudsburg University and his Administrative Certificate from Jersey City State College.  Between teaching and classes of his own, Mr. Swanson coached wrestling and football and earned the distinction of being Teacher of the Year in 1987.

After teaching in Mount Olive, Mr. Swanson went on to teach Social Studies at Morris Knolls High School and to coach football at Morris Hills.  After just one year in these positions, Mr. Swanson then became Vice Principal at Morris Knolls High School.  This position then lead to his appointment to District Director of Instructional Services for Morris Hills and Morris Knolls.

While in this administrative position, Mr. Swanson enrolled in Drew University to begin work on his Doctorate of Letters Degree.  Mr. Swanson states, “I am still in the process of working towards my doctorate.  I have one research course and my dissertation to complete.  I will continue my pursuit of my doctorate come the spring semester.”

While workdays are long as principal, Mr. Swanson enjoys finding time for himself and his family.  A run early in the morning energizes him for his day ahead.  With five children ranging in ages 11 to 21, Mr. Swanson cannot only be found cheering on his children in all that they do, but he can also be found capturing some quiet time for himself in his garden, “I find gardening to be very therapeutic.”   And for those avid Bruce Springsteen fans… pull up a chair and talk Springsteen concerts with Mr. Swanson.