NAME:
Mrs. Gail (Bonora) Swartzendruber
SCHOOL:
Creekside Middle School
CLASS:
6th grade Language Arts/ Social Studies
SCHOOL PHONE:
(510)247-0665 ext#7105
I was born and raised in Castro Valley. I went to Our Lady of Grace and then
off to Moreau. After I graduated I went to Chico State University for four
years and got my teaching credential at Cal State Hayward (Hayward--that's
what it was called back then) I taught in Fremont when I first began my
teaching career. Back then, my name was much easier to pronounce: Bonora. I
spent 13 years at an elementary school called Cabrillo. Then I met my
husband in New Orleans at a music festival and I lost all my sanity and
agreed to take his name!! What was I thinking? I got married in 1998 and
moved from Fremont to Castro Valley and taught 5th grade for two years at
Stanton. I enjoyed it O.K., but I really just wanted to get back to the
grade that I loved: 6th! Soon there was an opening at Creekside and I
jumped. I've been happily teaching here for about 11 years, although I did
take a year off to travel. My husband and I love the outdoors and traveling and our jobs.
Of course I want for all my students to advance academically, but more
importantly I want them to acquire a love for learning. I hope that I can be
a positive role model (in general) for your child and assist them in this
goal. There is no greater joy for any teacher to know that he/she has made a
difference in the life of a child. Feel free to let us know when this
happens. So often teaching is a thankless job, so a pat on the back every once in awhile is much
appreciated.
