Chandler Public Schools

Chandra Swisher teaches all day preschool at East Side Elementary. She is in her 19^th year at Chandler Public Schools where she has taught Kindergarten, Development First Grade and First Grade at East Side. She was the Junior High and High School Librarian for 9 years.

Growing up in Northwest Oklahoma around Enid, she attended Oklahoma State University and the University of Central Oklahoma.  

Q  What would you say most motivates you to teach?  
A  No matter how rough the day is, something usually happens with 4 year olds that makes me smile.  

Q  Did you have any key mentors or people who influenced who you are, and/or your decision to become an educator?  
A  My Kindergarten teacher Mrs. Hill.  I loved her and went on to work for her personally on her family farm during my high school years.  

Q  What are you most excited or passionate about? 
A  READING! As a librarian and teacher I try to stress that reading is the most important thing we can do with our children.  AND it needs to be done out loud and with animation!  No boring books here! Kids love to be read out loud to and will learn to love reading if they see we are passionate about it.  

Q  What might students and parents be surprised to know about you?  
A  I drive a John Deere tractor!  I help my husband out at our farm during hay season or spraying. 

Chandra and her husband have been married for 29 years, and have lived in Chandler for 21 years. Their daughter Caitlin graduated from Chandler, then went on to graduate from college in Texas where she currently lives and works. They are also proud grandparents! Chandra enjoys spending time visiting her daighter but loves to travel or hang out with her friends as well!  She has a dog named Lucy, a cat, Katniss, a class frog, SQUIGGY and class guinea pigs, PISTOL and PETE!  Squiggy has been in my class for SEVENTEEN YEARS now and I’m sure some of the seniors who were in my Kindergarten class remember him!