This is the eighth installment of Q&As with the teachers who have been selected as Teachers of the Year at Limestone County Schools.

Name: Gracie Swaim 

School: Creekside Primary School 

Grade Level(s) Taught: 1st Grade

Subject(s) Taught: General Education, All Subjects

Degrees & Granting Institutions, Special Certifications and/or Training: 

— Graduated from East Limestone High School in 2013

— Graduated from Athens State University in 2017 with a  Bachelor of Science in Education 

— LETRS Certified  

How many years have you been in education? 

I have been in education for seven years.  

How many are with Limestone County Schools? 

I have been with Limestone County Schools for all seven years. 

What makes you proud to be an educator? 

I am proud to make a lasting impact on  my students’ lives, inside and outside of the classroom.  

What has your experience in the education field taught you?

I have learned that kids  are people too. They still have big emotions, big moments (good and bad) — and that  each and every kid deserves to be celebrated, loved and cherished.  

What do you enjoy most about working for Limestone County Schools? 

I love working in the same community I have grown up in my whole life. I have been a part of  Creekside since it opened its doors in 2000. I started kindergarten the year it opened. I am actually teaching first grade in the same first grade classroom that I was in all those years ago. My administrators are supportive and that makes working at Creekside even better.  

How do your students inspire you? 

They inspire me to be resilient (everything isn’t  easy — even as an adult), spontaneous (sometimes a teachable moment isn’t in the  lesson plan), and to always try my best to be good influence (someone is always watching, so I want to be sure I’m also setting a good example for them). 

What are your hobbies?

I love to camp, go to the beach and spend time with my family.

What is your favorite quote?

“Every experience God gives us, every person He puts in our lives is the perfect preparation for the future that only He can see.”  ― Corrie Ten Boom.

The Alabama Teacher of the Year Program honors and recognizes excellence in the teaching profession by identifying outstanding classroom teachers at local, district and state levels. The Teacher of the Year Program is open to any public school classroom teacher, librarian, counselor or other certified individuals in a K-12 setting.

The Limestone County Schools System honored each Teacher of the Year at the annual Teacher of the Year Banquet held on Monday, Dec. 2. The Limestone County Schools District-Level Elementary (K-6) and Secondary (7-12) Teacher of the Year, along with the Educational Support Person of the Year, was announced at the special event. These teachers will then represent Limestone County Schools in the Alabama Teacher of the Year state competition.