ST. TAMMANY PARISH, LA. 

Obituary for: SWANG, JOHN 

Submitted by: Louis Lavedan. 

Source: The St. Tammany News, St. Tammany, La.

Posted: Friday, May 18, 2012 

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SWANG, JOHN 

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John Swang, Ph.D., 67, supervisor of Administration, Energy Management for St. 
Tammany Parish Schools, died May 15, 2012.

He is survived by his wife, Melody Swang, Ph. D., director of broadcasting at 
Channel 13; children Ian Swang, Jason Kaufmann, Richard Kaufmann, Hannah 
Kaufmann-Swang, Misty Schoen, Kristen Moore, Christopher Schoen and Kevin 
Schoen; and 11 grandchildren.

Swang began his career with the school system in 1987 as a sixth grade gifted 
teacher at Mandeville Middle School and was the first teacher at Mandeville 
Middle to have a computer in his classroom. He was an innovator of technology 
and paved the way for technology initiatives in the district and was 
instrumental in the development of Channel 13, the School System television 
station, and served as the instructional technology coordinator for many years. 
After turning over the reins of Channel 13, Swang dedicated his efforts to 
energy management. He created systemwide energy saving initiatives, which have 
so far saved the school system more than $8 million in energy cost avoidance.

He had six academic degrees that gave him a professional career that included 
two years of volunteer work in Africa where he survived three attempted coups; 
he worked as a therapist in private practice, as a social worker in inner city 
New Orleans; as a professor at Tulane; he co-founded the Montessori school in 
New Orleans; taught gifted sixth grade at Mandeville Middle School; founded the 
National Student Research Center; and was supervisor of technology and then 
supervisor of administration for the St. Tammany Parish Public Schools.

He was a gentle spirit who loved education and children. 
He served as a soccer coach for many years, and his team won a state 
championship. 
His entire career was dedicated to making the world a better place through his 
students. Known as Dr. John throughout the school system, he was known for his 
kindness and thoughtfulness.

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