![Virginia Teacher of Year Anthony Swann continues to inspire students, community through education](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/7MF5OMrAEF-odTMb-myKtQEKkf8=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/02-27-2021/t_5a4d5660f6f340dfba290811da279764_name_image.jpg)
Virginia Teacher of Year Anthony Swann continues to inspire students, community through education
ROCKY MOUNT, Va. โ Once face-to-face with homelessness and lost in the foster care system, education saved one local teacherโs life. Every day as a working adult, Anthony Swann has the goal of using his passion to show students how education can change and save their lives, just like it did for him. The Franklin County teacher works at Rocky Mount Elementary. In the last year, he has been named district teacher of the year, state teacher of the year and has been appointed to the state board of education. Swann considers his students his children and recognizes his role and representation as a Black man.
![Gov. Ralph Northam calls on schools to make in-person learning available by March 15](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/oWTpgG74NOJD7HVnY-qj9WrUu64=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/02-05-2021/t_cf61fcea3dde499db8143223266cb3a9_name_school_desks_classroom_generic_empty_1518024001296_jpg.jpg)
Gov. Ralph Northam calls on schools to make in-person learning available by March 15
โItโs time to find a path forward to in-person learning,โ announced Gov. [Where are Virginiaโs coronavirus cases? Northam said the March 15 date is not a mandate, but rather a direction to Virginiaโs school divisions. The CDC, Dr. Fauci and President Joe Biden have all said itโs possible to have safe in-person learning, said Northam. Northam also thanked teachers for what theyโve done during this pandemic and many have taught in-person and navigated the new world of virtual learning.
![Franklin County teacher to be featured on NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/IA2m55TnYuf-Zx44c3jUCNDuM6w=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/gmg/LCTBU5WRFVDXLIOPH4GAQ2WBOE.png)
Franklin County teacher to be featured on NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt
If you tune in to NBCโs โNightly Newsโ on Thursday night, you might see a familiar face talking to Lester Holt. Anthony Swann, a fifth-grade teacher from Rocky Mount Elementary, will be featured on the popular newscast for its tribute to teachers. [โTeach for the love of your childrenโ: Franklin County teacher named Virginia Teacher of the Year]The Franklin County teacher was recognized as the 2021 Virginia Teacher of the Year back in October. When Holt questioned him about his approach to teaching, Swann answered: โSo every day I see my children, I affirm them. And I am important.โ And so I just let them know that sometimes in life youโll experience challenges, but remember that youโre smart.โTo catch Swannโs segment, watch โNightly Newsโ on Thursday, Dec. 17, at 6:30 p.m. You can also watch it here.
!['Teach for the love of your childrenโ: Franklin County teacher named Virginia Teacher of the Year](https://www.wsls.com/resizer/N5_aRdCUyBvXb13dCLs_YzvP0Go=/1600x900/smart/filters:format(jpeg):strip_exif(true):strip_icc(true):no_upscale(true):quality(65)/d1vhqlrjc8h82r.cloudfront.net/10-09-2020/t_1cbcaaaf439f4946a3db7105f96af40a_name_image.jpg)
'Teach for the love of your childrenโ: Franklin County teacher named Virginia Teacher of the Year
FRANKLIN COUNTY, Va. โ A local elementary school teacher has earned the stateโs highest honor for teaching. Anthony Swann, a fifth-grade teacher at Rocky Mount Elementary, was named the 2021 Virginia Teacher of the Year during a virtual ceremony on Thursday night. He said he was inspired to teach after his teacher in fourth-grade comforted him during an emotionally traumatizing moment. Swann returned to Virginia in 2015, teaching at Johnson Elementary in Danville for two years before assuming his current position at Rock Mount Elementary in 2017. The 2020 Teacher of the Year was Andrea Johnson, a 12th-grade English teacher at Salem High School.