Bristol Bay Borough School District School Board Member Michael Swain, Jr. Receives 2022 MacKinnon Excellence in Education Award
Michael Swain, Jr., Bristol Bay Borough School District (BBBSD) School Board Member, was awarded the 2022 Don MacKinnon Excellence in Education Award by the Alaska Superintendents Association (ASA). Swain was announced as the award recipient at the ASA fall conference.
Swain graduated from Bristol Bay High School in 1992 and has served on the BBBSD school board since 2003. During his tenure he has held the positions of board secretary and president. Swain is also a two-time past president of AASB and currently serves on the NSBA Board of Directors and is chair of the American Indian/Alaska Native Council.
BBBSD Superintendent Bill Hill said one of Swain’s goals when joining the school board was to offer better programs for students that cultivated learning. “Under Mr. Swain’s leadership, the Bristol Bay Regional Career and Technical Education program was created.” The program helps high school students earn college credits or industry-recognized certifications to help students learn skills they can take into their careers.
Swain has led the development of an $18 million school renovation project in the district despite turbulent financial times in the state. He has also been instrumental in implementing the ANSEP Middle School Academy, a regional program serving middle school students from all the villages in the Bristol Bay Region.
Superintendent Hill said that in addition to his accolades, “Mr. Swain also finds it important to have a presence in the school. If there is a special event, such as holidays or various celebrations, he can often be found helping staff by barbequing or serving food.” He added, “Even though Mr. Swain’s children have graduated and moved on to the next phase of their lives, he continues to be a strong advocate for all Alaskan students while ensuring that Bush Alaska has a voice locally, regionally, statewide, and nationally.
The Don MacKinnon Educational Excellence in Education Award was established in 1985 to recognize Don MacKinnon and his service to education in the state. In honor of his work to forge professional relationships on behalf of Alaska’s young people, the ASA Board of Directors established this award to be given to school board members who have provided meritorious service to their school districts and communities. Don was the first Executive Director of the Alaska Association of School Administrators (now ASA) and the Alaska Council for School Administrators. He was an influential force in bringing educators together for the benefit of our students.