Hello, my name is Cheri Swalls and yes, to the answer of your first question "I Love Horses".  I'm in the picture located above with my horse "Captain".  I have enjoyed working at Bedford Middle School for nine years now.  I have a Associates Degree in Computer Administration and graduated in 2006 from Tidewater Tech, located in Virginia Beach VA. I had the honor of being selected salutatorian for my graduating class.  My husband Jeff and I have been married for 29 years, he is my best friend.  I have two beautiful daughters, Chelsea and Amanda.  I live on a farm in the country and enjoy our horses, Dobermans and early morning sunrises.  When I am not working, spending time with my family or pursuing my educational career, I enjoy scrap-booking, walking, swimming and shopping.

The moment a child is born the learning process begins.  The excitement they have when mastering a first step, or riding a bicycle without training wheels, learning to read or writing their name can be exhilarating.  Learning with technology is just as exciting. Computers have the potential to enhance student's learning process by giving them greater access to information. Educational material and many other resources that are used to augment and improve learning in math and language can be found on the internet and implemented in games, crossword puzzles, paint shop, and fun exciting software programs.  Technology can enhance their analytical and problem solving skills, improve their motivation and their attitude.  The use of technology should increase students' ingenuity, global awareness and responsibility so that they become effective, responsible members of society and life long learners. My mission when working with the kids at Bedford Middle School is to keep the excitement of learning alive. The desire to improve, to master, to achieve cannot  be accomplished  if a child does not want to learn.  A good teacher does not have to be someone who deeply understands their subject. A good teacher is someone who can transfer the love he or she has for the subject to the student."

I definitely feel blessed.  I have a job I truly love and work in a building full of people whom I can honestly say are my family away from home.  The biggest reason by far are the many different children I have had in my classroom each year.  I love to see the shine of enthusiasm in the eyes of the kids.  I can see the spirit of hope in the faces of these blooming adolescences.  I see the challenge and optimism of these young ladies and gentlemen who will graduate in coming years. I feel there can be no finer occupation than working with children, observing their triumphs and defeats, praising their success and helping to lead them down the many different paths of discovery.