While many high school graduates spend the last of their teen years focusing on themselves, North Atlanta High School alumnus Craig Schwall has dedicated himself to improving North Atlanta’s learning environment. He is a teaching assistant, a Mock Trial instructor, a tutor, and a running enthusiast. Using his strong passion for education and ability to inspire others, Schwall aims to aid as many North Atlanta students as he can.
During his time at North Atlanta, starting in 2019, Schwall was extremely involved. He was a member of Mu Alpha Theta (mathematics honors society), Quiz Bowl, Mock Trial, Science National Honor Society, Beta Club, and The National Eagle Scout Association. He continued to maintain all of these extracurriculars while completing the rigorous International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. Schwall believes that his participation in each of these activities fostered his ability to connect with others. “I love that North Atlanta has an abundance of opportunities that can cater to pretty much anyone,” said Schwall. “As a student, there was always something for me to look forward to.”
During Schwall’s senior year, he had a minimum day, which gave him the opportunity to help out with fourth-period Algebra 1 classes. Being a mathematically inclined student, he had no issue sharing his algebraic abilities with his peers. This ultimately led to Schwall’s decision to return to North Atlanta, post-graduation, as an algebra teaching assistant. “I felt really good about the positive impact I had on students,” said Schwall. “This is when I knew for sure that I had a passion for teaching.”
This school year, Schwall continues to share his knowledge with the students of North Atlanta. His schedule consists of three algebra classes, in which he is a teaching assistant alongside NAHS math teacher Jhenna Smith. He also has a planning period, where he prepares materials for these classes. At the end of the school day, Schwall remains on campus to coach the North Atlanta Mock Trial team, of which he was once the president. “Being able to continue my involvement in Mock Trial means everything to me,” said Schwall. “I am so grateful for all of these opportunities.”
In the future, Schwall aspires to become a psychiatrist as well as a professor of medicine. Becoming a university professor is a big dream of his, as he finds joy in conducting research and sharing his findings with others. For now, Schwall is determined to inspire and educate the students of North Atlanta High School, in both algebra and alimony.
