Mary Catherine Sawson ('67 credential)
Founder and Executive Director, AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination)
Twenty-five years ago, Mary Catherine Swanson launched one of the most successful education reform programs in the United States, the only reform program created by a public school teacher. The AVID program has enrolled more than 200,000 underachieving middle school and high school students in more than 2,000 schools, 36 states and 16 countries. Since 1990, almost 40,000 AVID students have completed high school and gone to college; more than 77 percent enrolled in four-year colleges and universities. Recent recognition of Swanson includes the U.S. Department of Education’s A+ Award, the Pioneering Achievement in Education Award from the Charles A. Dana Foundation, the McGraw Prize in Education, CNN/Time Magazine’s America’s Best Teacher, and a feature on 60 Minutes II.
I loved [teaching] so much, I would do it paid or not."
What AVID achievements make you proud?
The AVID college preparatory program for disadvantaged students takes lots of hard work, rigorous curriculum and structured support. Ninety-five percent of AVID students go to college with an 89 percent retention rate into the sophomore year of college. The students are amazing! They get through and give back again and again. They know someone or something gave them special opportunities, and they want to do the same for others. Our democracy depends on the success of all students. Our students become trailblazers of hope, courage and excellence.
What do you value from your teaching credential education at UC Davis?
It was a wonderful program. I entered UC Davis because of the intern program. My student teaching was during the summer. I taught full time at Woodland High School while getting my credential. My supervisors came from Davis often and coached me in a real teaching situation. The Woodland faculty members were extremely supportive and good mentors. I told my husband, “I love this so much I would do it paid or not.”
Swanson is married to Thomas E. Swanson (’67 B.S. UC Davis College of Agriculture & Environmental Sciences; ’69 M.S. International Agricultural Economics). Their son, Tom Swanson, Stanford University graduate and high
school teacher, began AVID at his school. Tom’s decision to enter teaching is Mary Catherine’s proudest moment. She is looking forward to joining her husband
in retirement in 2006 after 40 years of extraordinary leadership.
You can find out more about Mary Catherine Swanson and AVID by visiting
the AVID Web site.