About Mrs. de Swardt

About Me

Welcome to my website!  My name is Mrs. de Swardt.  I have been a teacher in school district U-46 since August of 2013.  I began as an English teacher at Canton Middle School and then started teaching Social Studies in 2014.  I moved to high school for the 2022/2023 school year, teaching AP Macroeconomics and US History at Bartlett HS.  In addition to teaching, I directed plays and musicals at Canton and coached intramural cross country.  Currently, I am the Head Speech Coach at Bartlett HS.

Teaching was not my original plan.  Originally, my plan was to go to law school after graduation, but after spending time with a Circuit Court Judge at the Daley Center in Chicago, I pursued a teaching career.  I graduated from Olivet Nazarene University with my Bachelors of Arts in Political Science and History.  I then went to Aurora University for my Masters of Arts in Teaching with Certification.  

Outside of school, I am extremely active.  Over the summer my husband and I manage a small business, train for triathlons and marathons.  I have raced two half ironmans and 7 marathons, including 5 Chicago marathons.  During my training, I raise money for TEAM SALUTE which is a wonderful organization that helps veterans and active military.  In addition to being outdoors, I also enjoy spending time with my family, which includes my two boys, my hubby, and two daschunds. I  love reading, crocheting and travelling.  I am a huge Chicago Blackhawks and Chicago Cubs fan! 

Thank you so much for taking the time to learn about me and I look forward to working with you this school year!