Welcome New Board Member: Rachel Swift
Name: Rachel Swift
Spouse’s Name: Michael Swift
Church Affiliation: Word of Grace – Sheboygan Falls
Family Information: students – Evelyn (8th) and Ezra (6th)
Employment Information: Executive Ministry Director and Worship Director – Word of Grace
Church/School Activities you are or have been involved with:
- SCS – weekly morning recess coverage – 2023-2025
- SCS – middle school chapel team assistance – 2024
- SCS – basketball scorebook keeping as needed – 2026
- SCS – Apple Pie Creation – 2023-2025
- SCS – shared testimony via video for Spring Concert – 2025
- Church – not volunteer – it is my job to ensure Sunday Services are planned and executed; utilize services as an ordained chaplain (counseling, mentoring, hospital visits, crisis support, weddings, funerals); am currently moving into a new role that transfers creative arts from my workload and instead oversees the vision, strategy and function of church-wide ministries
- Community Church Oshkosh – volunteer worship leader, Women’s bible study teacher, women’s conferences speaker – 2019-2023
- VCS (Valley Christian School Oshkosh) – long term substitute teaching – 2022-2023
- VCS – weekly classroom help – supported the classroom teacher in tasks such as grading, making copies, laminating, educational support/coaching
What do you like most about SCS?
- The school prioritizes recruiting, hiring and supporting quality teachers and staff who not only align to the mission, vision, and values of SCS but invest in the students’ spiritual health and emotional health. I have been blown away by the impact of the teachers on Evelyn and Ezra’s life – academically, emotionally, and spiritually.
- The school holds the Bible as the Word of God and does not waver from the truth of the Gospel
Why did your family choose SCS over other schools? SCS adheres to doctrines and theology that are biblically grounded. While core subjects need to be taught, they are taught with the foundation of belief in Jesus. Everything that SCS teaches is grounded on that truth. SCS truly partners with the church and the home to bring godly children up in this dark world.
What do you think is the most important goal for SCS? Keeping the mission and values the center of every decision – aligning all areas of the school to the mission and values, and not wavering from or compromising the truth of the Scriptures.
If you could do one thing to increase SCS’ visibility in the community, what would it be? Research shows that the best form of invitation is word of mouth. I would encourage families throughout the year to have “school” conversations with those they come in contact with to speak of the quality education coupled with spiritual formation at SCS. We could encourage families at the beginning of the year, during open house, by providing conversation starters or suggestions on how to talk about education at SCS. Then throughout the year, continual prompts and suggestions could be offered.
Why did you accept the nomination to serve our community on the School Board? Not too long ago, I actually had thought that I would enjoy being a part of the school board (this was before being contacted about nomination) – with my children out of elementary school, I have been looking for new ways to continue to volunteer and support the school (there were naturally more ways for parents to volunteer at the elementary level). As a former teacher, I have a passion for quality education coupled with a love for the Lord. I believe that I am gifted with discernment, leadership skills, and enjoy collaborating with others to “move the ship forward.” I align with and am passionate about SCS’s mission, vision, and values, and would be honored to contribute my giftings in this way.