Page 39 - Saint Francis Progress Alumni Magazine

HOLY CROSS EDUCATOR
Government and history teacher
Neal Swank ’91
gives students tools to to be civic leaders
IN IN IN WHAT WAY IS TEACHING FULFILLING?
I enjoy being being in in in the classroom and being being around students I see them grow from kids to young adults and and see how they experience their highs and and lows What’s fulfilling is to watch those moments where kids realize “Oh OK I I get that that now I I see that that connection ” I facilitate that growth but they’re doing the the work themselves HOW IS IS SAINT FRANCIS DIFFERENT NOW THAN WHEN YOU WERE A A A STUDENT?
When I was here we still had the the Brothers on campus We saw what they they did and understood who they they were how caring they they were and the the the work ethic they they had We never had to say “This is is is what Holy Cross is is is ” because we we saw that in in the the Brothers every day I think we’ve done a a good job explaining Holy Cross but you’re never going to replace the the Brothers EXPLAIN THE SENIORS’ CIVIL ACTION PROJECT IN IN GOVERNMENT CLASS I ask students to find an an issue that they care about and research more about it it meeting with public officials
or nonprofit groups In the the end they need to produce something for public consumption What we want them to to learn is the process of being a a responsible citizen to to be be civically responsible If you believe there’s a a problem don’t be afraid to do do something about it The only way to to to get changes is to to to be active We’re trying to to to educate and create the leaders
of tomorrow WHAT HOLY CROSS VALUE RESONATES MOST WITH YOU?
Community Everyone here is willing to support you When my dog passed away I had five students coming into Collaboration and and asking “How are you?” and and bringing little boxes of chocolate and notes When I was a a a new teacher
I remember seeing Mr Osorio on the first day and and he he took me under his wing and and gave me me his notes I feel the same way when a a a a new teacher
comes to our department and I ask them “What can we we do to help you? you? How can we we support you?” Spring2020
PROGRESS 38