Leadership

Hello John S. McCain III Elementary School Students, Parents and Community,

I am Jim Swetter and I am very excited to announce that I have been selected to serve as principal at John S. McCain III Elementary School. I come to John S. McCain III Elementary School with a passion for education and a love for helping students grow into young adults. I have been in education for 19 years; seven have been in instructional leadership roles. My most recent leadership role has been in Pahoa, Hawaii serving as Pahoa High and Intermediate Schools Athletic Director. Prior to relocating to Hawaii in 2020, I worked at Cactus Shadows High School in Cave Creek Arizona. I started at Cactus Shadows as a World History and AP European History teacher for four years before transitioning to the role of administrator.

 

I served a year as dean of students, two years as assistant principal for Operations and Resources/Athletic Director and two years as principal. These leadership opportunities have prepared me for the role of principal at John S. McCain III Elementary and I look forward to continuing to grow as a leader while serving Buckeye Elementary School District. Prior to relocating to Arizona in 2010, I lived in Ohio, where I was born and raised in a suburb outside of Cleveland. I grew up in a family of teachers and wanted to be a teacher myself since elementary school; always having a passion for history. After receiving a Bachelor's Degree in Education and Integrated Social Studies at Kent State University (graduated 2003), I served as a classroom teacher at Woodridge High School in Peninsula Ohio. At Woodridge, I taught World History and AP Government. I also served as a coach for the wrestling and track & field teams.

 

I believe in being a lifetime learner and have continued my education throughout my career. I have two Master's degrees from the University of Phoenix. The first in Curriculum and Instruction (graduated 2008) and the second in Curriculum and Instruction (graduated 2008).

I married my wife Alison in 2009. We are both avid animal lovers and have rescued a number of animals over the years. We have a passion for helping elderly and hospice animals. I am a lifelong Cleveland Browns fan, but have also adopted the Arizona Cardinals as my NFC team. My hobbies include scuba diving, woodworking and spending time with my family.