Dr. Joyce Burick Swarzman Teacher Development Fund
A dynamic and energetic leader, Dr. Joyce Burick Swarzman shaped the lives of thousands of students and teachers during her 24 years as the head of Corbett Prep. She joined Corbett Prep – then Independent Day School – in 1996 from the University of South Florida, where she was director of the Suncoast Area Teacher Training Program.
In 2020, she turned her focus to supporting Corbett Prep's initiatives and training when Nicholas Rodriguez took over as Head of School. She passed away in January 2023 at the age of 75 after a long battle with ALS.
When you donate to the Dr. Joyce Burick Swarzman Teacher Development Fund, you help us provide permanent, long-term support for our core missions. Corbett Prep strives to create a community of lifelong learners – students, faculty and staff – who embrace the spirit of inquiry and understand that there are always ways we can grow personally and intellectually.
We invite you to learn more about how Dr. Swarzman has shaped education and teacher professional development at Corbett Prep and to consider a gift to support our faculty's continued growth.
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“Joyce stimulated the minds of both students and teachers. She challenged us and inspired us to be the best we could be.”Judy Sobel, former teacher and alumni parent and grandparent
Make a Gift
Support the Teacher Development Fund and Dr. Joyce Burick Swarzman's belief that "Every Child Deserves a Teacher of the Year."
Corbett Preparatory School of IDS and the Board of Trustees Announce New Endowment Fund
Corbett Preparatory School of IDS is honored to celebrate and continue the legacy of Dr. Joyce Burick Swarzman. Prior to the school's commitment to this fund, Dr. Swarzman shared her wishes to continue to drive excellence in student education and provide professional development for "Teachers with a capital T" for years to come.
The teacher development fund supports above-and-beyond training opportunities for teachers in the name of Dr. Swarzman, who led Corbett Prep and Independent Day School for more than two decades. Her reach extended far beyond Tampa as well, as she conducted professional development for more than 20,000 educators nationally and internationally. She passed away in January 2023.
“This endowment will forever honor Dr. Swarzman and will provide a steady revenue source, thereby helping our organization sustain continued above-and-beyond teaching and learning,” said Jeff Shannon, Corbett Prep Board President. “Dr. Swarzman made a difference in the lives of thousands of students, parents and teachers, and we are hopeful many of them will want to help ensure that others are able to benefit in the future.”
“Joyce led with integrity, inspiration, innovation and fun – always fun! She had the uncanny ability to diagnose a challenge and then empower the children or her teachers to find the best way to solve it. Her coaching and training made me a better teacher.”Debi Brockmeyer, Corbett Prep/IDS teacher since 1981