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 Age: 38
Executive director/principal, East Cooper Montessori Charter School
Jody Swanigan is committed to education, particularly the Montessori method of education, which focuses on the independent spirit of each child.
“The charter school movement has brought new opportunity for public Montessori programs to flourish in an environment free from some of the constraints that have hindered public Montessori programs in the past,” said Swanigan, principal of East Cooper Montessori Charter School, which serves 162 students in first through eighth grades.
“I am dedicated to making sure Montessori education has a seat at the public school table,” she said.
Through her work, Swanigan is immersed in community service through the hundreds of local organizations the school and its students support with time, talent and donations. She works closely with Habitat for Humanity, Crisis Ministries, Lemon4Life, Toys for Tots and East Cooper Community Outreach.
“I am energized by the creation of self and soul found in education. It is the only field I know of that is pure and not corrupted by politics and greed. I love partnering with families to develop caring and compassionate participators.
Favorite music artist/musical genre: Keb’Mo and Melissa Etheridge.
Best stress reliever: Laughter and a bunch of broccoli.
Person you would like to meet: I would like to meet Maria Montessori. I would want to know how she views the return of Montessori education to the mainstream.
First job: Picking strawberries on a farm in Michigan.
Favorite hour of the day and why: 4 a.m. because I am in the last hour of sleep and probably having a really good dream.
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