About Mr. Swill
EDUCATION
After high school, Mr. Willoughby earned his Bachelor of Science degree in English/Media Arts from the HBCU, Coppin State University in Baltimore, MD. With a concentration in Writing for Media, he was geared to become a journalist or scriptwriter, but the call to teaching came soon after graduation when he attended the life-changing Million Man March in 1995 and made the pledge to help uplift his community by using his skills as an educator.
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
Mr. Willoughby, better known as "Swill" by his students and colleagues, is in his 19th year as a leader in the classroom. He began as a middle school Language Arts teacher in Baltimore, Maryland way back in 1997. After completing six years there, he then taught for three years at the high school level in Richmond, Virginia.
The 2007-2008 school year marked his beginnings with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools at West Mecklenburg High School, where remains to this day. Mr. Willoughby embraces the challenge to work in "challenging" schools and thrives to make each of his students successful. As he puts it, "Some grow complacent and rejoice when they can reach that one student who gets "it" and proves that a teacher's work is not in vain. That disturbs me because I will not be satisfied until I reach them ALL."
ON THE SIDE...
When "Swill" is not teaching in the classroom he is heavily involved in coaching track & field. As the head coach of both the girls and boys teams. he is able to impact the lives of students in a huge way. By pushing the mantra of "Pride, Attitude, Courage, and Kinship", Swill encourages his student-athletes to transfer their athletic competitiveness to everyday life. Many of his athletes have earned major success on the local, state, and national level, including full scholarships for college. West Meck track & field athletes have not only earned numerous athletic accolades, but more importantly, they have earned respect as being coachable athletes that show outstanding sportsmanship. This is a testament to the love and guidance they receive from their head coach.
After high school, Mr. Willoughby earned his Bachelor of Science degree in English/Media Arts from the HBCU, Coppin State University in Baltimore, MD. With a concentration in Writing for Media, he was geared to become a journalist or scriptwriter, but the call to teaching came soon after graduation when he attended the life-changing Million Man March in 1995 and made the pledge to help uplift his community by using his skills as an educator.
PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
Mr. Willoughby, better known as "Swill" by his students and colleagues, is in his 19th year as a leader in the classroom. He began as a middle school Language Arts teacher in Baltimore, Maryland way back in 1997. After completing six years there, he then taught for three years at the high school level in Richmond, Virginia.
The 2007-2008 school year marked his beginnings with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools at West Mecklenburg High School, where remains to this day. Mr. Willoughby embraces the challenge to work in "challenging" schools and thrives to make each of his students successful. As he puts it, "Some grow complacent and rejoice when they can reach that one student who gets "it" and proves that a teacher's work is not in vain. That disturbs me because I will not be satisfied until I reach them ALL."
ON THE SIDE...
When "Swill" is not teaching in the classroom he is heavily involved in coaching track & field. As the head coach of both the girls and boys teams. he is able to impact the lives of students in a huge way. By pushing the mantra of "Pride, Attitude, Courage, and Kinship", Swill encourages his student-athletes to transfer their athletic competitiveness to everyday life. Many of his athletes have earned major success on the local, state, and national level, including full scholarships for college. West Meck track & field athletes have not only earned numerous athletic accolades, but more importantly, they have earned respect as being coachable athletes that show outstanding sportsmanship. This is a testament to the love and guidance they receive from their head coach.