Each month at Boone Grove High School (BGHS), students fill out an online survey to nominate a Teacher of the Month. They are encouraged to provide a short description of the reason for their nomination, and their responses are tallied by the administration. After a teacher is selected, a trophy is given to the winner of that month.
Last month, English teacher Jori Swan-Caratini received the Teacher of the Month award. As a college student, Swan-Caratini double-majored in English and Secondary Education, with a minor in Spanish. She has taught at BGHS for 21 of the 22 years she has been a teacher. Swan-Caratini is one of the most esteemed and well admired teachers at BGHS. Every student knows her, and nearly all who have been her students have good things to say about her class.
Swan-Caratini’s classes are known to be among the most complex English classes the school offers. When first meeting her, it is easy for students to be intimidated by the extensive and well planned-out syllabus given on the first day of class.
However, Swan-Caratini is aware of this and uses this as a way to get the students to perform to the best of their abilities.
“I like to be strict but fair. I have high standards and clear expectations, but I hope the students know that I am human and have a personality also. I think the balance between being strict and being personable shows them that I want them to be successful.”
After getting to know her and witnessing her vibrant personality, Swan-Caratini easily becomes a student favorite. Swan-Caratini teaches English 10, English 11, and English 12 at Boone Grove.
Additionally, juniors have the option to take a dual-credit college course taught by her that continues through their senior year. The opportunity to take a course for college credit with Swan-Caratini is an offer that not many students are willing to pass up, due to her incredible teaching abilities and high standards.
Some students say that her dual-credit course is incredibly draining and tiring with the work and numerous essays carefully planned out. Despite the workload and high expectations, students come out of the class with more knowledge and strongly developed time-management skills.
“I really enjoy getting to know my students and helping them. I like showing them what they are capable of and helping them believe in themselves. Of course, I also like getting them to read books and stories they may not have otherwise read,” said Swan-Caratini.
The way that she teaches the stories that she assigns to her students is always enjoyable, and being able to talk about what makes a book good or not is always an entertaining experience. Students in her classes are expected to take part in lively discussions.
“I love British Literature, specifically the Regency Period. My favorite books are Wuthering Heights and Pride and Prejudice,” said Swan-Caratini.
Her clear love of regency-era books has made the learning environment that much more comfortable and provides a safe place for students to express their feelings on such books. It’s easy to imagine that there will undoubtedly be students who may take inspiration from her class and go on to study in a similar field, or perhaps become an English teacher themselves.
Swan-Caratini is definitely deserving of the Teacher of the Month title she won. Due to her incredible teaching skills and her entertaining class periods, many students were quick to nominate her for the monthly award.
Swan-Caratini has proven herself to be an incredibly caring person and is dedicated to the education and success of all of her students. She always does her best to make sure they prosper and flourish.
“I am proud to be a teacher and proud of all the students I have had throughout the years who have grown and become successful and happy. I hope that each day I can come to school and make someone happier for having been in my class,” said Swan-Caratini.
Congratulations on the award, Mrs. Swan-Caratini!