A new chapter for Mike Swenson

Swenson chose this career because he wanted a challenge and loved reading, so he found a way to make it his career. When he began, he taught 9th-11th grade English with double sections. He eventually taught 7th-11th grade English. He also taught Composition I and II, American Literature and English Literature for College in the High School. Students have been able to earn up to 12 college credits because of these courses. He has also taught fifth and sixth grade reading, civics for six years, special ed, TV journalism, and speech.

He stayed in education for many years because he said if you find a job that you look forward to go to, it is not a job. He loved working with the students and teachers in Oklee. “It was phenomenal.”

Swenson commented, “I have had many students contact me years after they had graduated to thank me for preparing them for college. I have had people go into professional theater such as Charity Wicks, Pam Parenteau Daly and those who followed after me by teaching English such as Kelly Hofstad and others.”

Regarding highlights of teaching Swenson said, “It is so much fun when a student who struggled finally understands a new concept. I have watched so many students go out to make a life for themselves.”

During his time teaching there have been many changes including the advances in technology. When he began teaching, calculator batteries lasted three hours and cost eight dollars. The first computer he had was a 40 meg machine and cost $2500. Swenson said, “The computer was so much faster. Instead of retyping every worksheet and test to put on a mimeograph machine… one could save the worksheet on a computer and have a new printout every year.” He commented that today’s phone is a computer, camera, and camcorder.

For new teachers, Swenson said be prepared for a lot of paperwork and ask for help. Shortcuts make correcting go by a lot faster. “You will be lucky to be ahead by one day.” He learned from experience to back up his grade book by continuing to use the old grade book. 

When asked what he will miss Swenson commented, “I will miss theater, working with the students. I will miss those moments when the light pops in a student’s head when they understand a concept. I will miss working with the unbelievable staff of teachers and paras. I will not miss the hours and hours of paperwork!”

While teaching, Swenson was a member of the RLCCEA, MEA, NEA, and Kramer Brown including being president of the RLCCEA for 27 years as well as other offices and committee chairs. He was a member of Kramer Brown for 12 years and the Chairman for three. Swenson was also a member of the State Governing Board of Education Minnesota.

Mike Swenson has three sons: Paul, Adam, and Andy. Paul is married to Anne and has one son named Luke. Adam has three children: Blaine, Mason, and Aubrey. His mother Joyce still lives on the family farm. He has one sister named Kaylynn who is married to Tom Wold. 

In his free time Swenson enjoys reading, writing, hunting, and fishing. Now he looks forward to spending more time with his grandchildren. His retirement plans are to do some traveling, go fishing and hunting more. He stated that he will not miss all of the correcting and paperwork!

Swenson concluded, “I will miss working with the students. This is a job that the results do not show sometimes for years. I especially will miss theater—the vision I see when I read a script to develop the plan to make it a reality.”   

Thank you Mr. Swenson for all that we have learned from you and the confidence you brought to those in theater. Have a great retirement and best wishes from RLCC.