Mrs. Swartzendruber

I was born and raised in Castro Valley.  I went to Our Lady of Grace and then off to Moreau High School in Hayward.  After I graduated, I went to Chico State University for four years and later earned 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, left Fremont for Castro Valley Unified and taught 5th grade for two years at Stanton.  I enjoyed it, 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 21 years, although I did take a year off to travel.   During the 2014/15 school year I was chosen as the CLMS (California League of Middle Schools) State Educator of the Year.  This is an honor of which I am very proud.  

My husband and I love the outdoors and traveling, our dog, Louie, each other 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 (much like parenting) is a thankless job, so a 'pat on the back' every once in awhile is very much appreciated.