Jeanice Kerr Swift is the Ann Arbor Public Schools superintendent, a position she's held since August 2013.
Jeanice Swift.
This is Swift's first job as superintendent. She was one of two finalists for the position, which the board initially offered to Brian Osborne, superintendent of South Orange-Maplewood School District in New Jersey. Osborne turned down the offer and the board subsequently extended it to Swift, who accepted. Previously she was assistant superintendent for instruction, curriculum, and student services in Colorado Springs School District 11.
Swift replaced former AAPS superintendent Patricia Green, who resigned earlier in 2013.
Swift began her tenure as superintendent by conducting "Listen and Learn" tours throughout the district, meeting with staff, parents, and other members of the community.
Toward the end of the 2014-2015 school year, conflict broke out between the school board and superintendent on one side, and numerous Ann Arbor parents and teachers on the other. [Facebook page in support of AAPS teachers:https://www.facebook.com/SupportAnnArborTeachers; Superintendent's Blog: http://news.a2schools.org/to-those-who-touch-the-future/]
Swift is married to John Swift, a retired nurse. They do not have children.
Timeline
December 16, 2015. The Board of Education on Dec. 16 extends Swift's contract to July 31, 2020.
Aug. 27, 2013: Begins job as superintendent of the Ann Arbor Public Schools.
July 2011-August 2013: Serves as assistant superintendent for instruction, curriculum, and student services in Colorado Springs School District 11.
2011: Earns doctor of philosophy degree (Ph.D) in educational leadership at the University of Denver.
2009-2011: Works as executive director of K-12 schools for the Colorado Springs School District 11.
2004-2009: Serves as principal of the Charles M. Russell Middle School of the Performing Arts and Science in Colorado Springs.
2002-2004: Works as assistant principal of the Charles M. Russell Middle School of the Performing Arts and Science in Colorado Springs.
2001-2002: Works as a literacy resource teacher coach at Jenkins Middle School in Colorado Springs.
2000: Earns master’s degree in curriculum and instruction at the University of Colorado
1998-2001: Teaches middle school English in the Colorado Springs School District 11.
1984-1991 and 1995-1998: Teaches high school English and Spanish in the Hurst-Euless-Bedford School District in Forth Worth, Texas.
1984: Earns bachelor of arts in education degree, with a major in English and a minor in Spanish, at the University of Texas, Arlington.
In the News
Ann Arbor schools superintendent thanks teachers in year-end letter – MLive, June 12, 2015
Ann Arbor school board gives glowing review of superintendent's first year on the job – MLive, June 26, 2014
Ann Arbor Public Schools Parents and Teachers Praise Superintendent for Listen and Learn Report – WEMU, Jan. 31, 2014
Ann Arbor Schools Superintendent Developing Report from Listen and Learn Tour – WEMU, Dec. 26, 2013
Q&A with Ann Arbor schools' new superintendent Jeanice Kerr Swift – AnnArbor.com, Sept. 1, 2013
Dr. Jeanice Swift offered AAPS Superintendent position – AAPS Newsletter, Summer 2013
Welcome Dr. Jeanice Swift! Here is Some Advice – Ann Arbor Schools Musings blog, Aug. 19, 2013
New Ann Arbor superintendent 'thrilled' to accept job offer from school board – AnnArbor.com, Aug. 1, 2013
Ann Arbor superintendent job to be offered to Jeanice Kerr Swift after split vote – AnnArbor.com, July 31, 2013
Ann Arbor school board considers next options in superintendent hiring – AnnArbor.com, July 29, 2013
Recap: Superintendent Candidate Jeanice Kerr Swift – Ann Arbor Schools Musings blog, July 18, 2013
Board of Education announces two finalists in superintendent search – AAPS Newsletter, July 2013
Charles superintendent search narrows to three candidates – Southern Maryland Newspapers Online, March 13, 2013
Sources
Twitter: @A2SchoolsSuper
Contributing to this Page
For some existing timeline elements more precise dates would be desirable. Update strategy: Add timeline elements and news links as history unfolds.
