Ellen Schafer '10 Joins CDH as STEM Coordinator

May 12, 2021

Schafer worked with Tim Fallon '23 and John Knudson '23 when they were students at St. Joe's.

In addition to constructing the new Ryan STEM Center, CDH has hired Ellen Schafer '10 as STEM Coordinator.

Schafer has been teaching Science and Engineering at St. Joseph's School, West St. Paul, where she collaborated on the design of a makerspace, or STEAM lab. She created the curriculum for middle school students to learn about STEAM concepts through fun, hands-on, student-driven challenges and projects. 

She has a strong educational background in teaching science and engineering and has earned the following degrees:

  • K-6 Elementary Education (BA at University of St. Thomas (UST), 2014)
  • 5-8 Science and Math Endorsement (BA at UST, 2014)
  • K-12 Engineering for Education Certificate (Post-Baccalaureates at UST, 2016)
  • K-12 Differentiated Education (Masters at Concordia University-St. Paul, 2021)
As the STEM Coordinator, she will help our faculty and students get the most out of the opportunities the new STEM Center will provide.
 
"I hope to collaborate with the teachers to get as many students into the Ryan STEM Center as possible through whatever classes they are taking at CDH," she said. "Engineering is so much more than science and math. Engineering includes design, art, creative thinking, marketing, and team collaboration to help solve problems that make the world a better, safer, cleaner, easier, and more efficient place to live."
 
Schafer, who has also coached volleyball at CDH, plans to use the Ryan STEM Center to connect with alumni and future students as well.
 
"I plan on reaching out to alumni to get them involved with the STEM Center and helping our students grow their STEM potential. Finally, I plan on reaching out to future students of CDH and provide opportunities for young students to learn about STEM through after-school programs and summer camps," she said.
 
With her strong background in STEM education and connection to CDH both as an alum and coach, Schafer is a perfect fit for this role. 
 
"Her experience reaches beyond the classroom to being a leader in STEM education," said Director of Technology Carole Loufek. "She brings with her a network of experts, experience, and passion to integrate into our STEM program. As an alum, her understanding of our values and mission is strong, allowing her to develop our STEM program from a solid base understanding of CDH. We are so lucky to have Ms. Schafer as a member of our CDH team."
Tags: STEM, Alumni, Ryan STEM

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