Lana Swartzwelder was born in Canton, Ohio and grew up in Miami, Florida. She attended Holy Family Catholic School and graduated from Monsignor Edward Pace High School, both in Miami. Mrs. Swartzwelder always knew she wanted to be a teacher. Her dream became a reality and she began her teaching career in 1967 at Visitation Catholic in Miami, taught at Holy Family in St. Petersburg and then moved to Lakeland in 1974, where she taught at St. Joseph’s for ten years and became a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church.

Mrs. Swartzwelder left St. Joseph's School in 1985 and purchased the franchise for Sylvan Learning Centers. While at Sylvan for 21 years, she worked with over 5,000 families and students. She met with all the students’ teachers at their home schools, attended staffings for ESE or gifted, recommended schools for students, and did the testing, teaching, training and oversaw all educational programs and the operations. Also, while in that capacity, she presented workshops for teachers, parents, guidance counselors and students on learning styles and teacher/parent communication.

In 2007, Mrs. Swartzwelder sold her Sylvan locations and purchased an educational company that teaches youth about financial literacy and business, YoungBiz Florida. Now as principal of St. Joseph's, she is happy to be "home" in this Catholic school environment.

Her educational history includes:

B.A. in Elementary Education - University of South Florida

M.S. in Early Childhood - Nova Southeastern University

M.Ed. In Educational Leadership, USF Polytechnic.

She is certified in Elementary Education, Gifted Education, and Early Childhood Education.

Community Involvement:

National Association of Women Business Owners; Kiwanis; Board of Leadership Lakeland; Leadership Polk; Robert’s Academy

ESL Advisory Board
St. Joseph’s Catholic Church

Email :lswartzwelder@stjosephlakeland.org