Professor Models Strategy to Engage
Students in Learning Process
Mary
Beth Schaefer, Ed.D., Assistant Professor of Education takes an
inclusionary approach to education that is consistent with St.
John’s focus on social justice. “My goal is to help students learn
how to design a curriculum that meets the needs of an increasingly
diverse middle school population — culturally, intellectually and
economically,” she said. “I want to prepare them to be able to
engage every student in the learning process.”
A recognized leader in the field, Dr. Schaefer
joined St. John’s in 2009, after more than 15 years of middle
school teaching and administrative experience. During this time,
she gained a national reputation as an innovative educator who
spearheaded such progressive initiatives as an inclusionary
education middle school, as well as a pioneering college and career
immersion program for eighth-graders.
Dr. Schaefer was drawn to St. John’s primarily
because of its dedication to helping the needy and to correcting
social inequities. Her interest was further heightened after
reading the job description for her position. The School of
Education was looking for an education professional with middle
school experience in addition to having the vision necessary to
help St. John’s evolve into a middle school education leader. “It
just seemed to have been written with me in mind,” she
said.
Her appointment to St. John’s has turned out
to be a boon for the University and Dr. Schaefer, as well as for
her students.
“St. John’s has more than exceeded my
expectations,” she said. “I am very privileged to have found a
teaching and research institution that supports my values and my
work.” She knew she made the right choice early in her career here,
when she received a surprise bonus, acknowledging her pro bono
service at the
Queens School of Inquiry (which she helped create) and at
Queens Catholic Schools, where she helped parents and students who
needed to master the public school application process.
“I loved being her student,” said Elizabeth
Guiterrez’12ED. “Dr. Schaefer inspired me to think outside the box
— especially when it comes to coming up with new ways to teach
literacy that incorporate student backgrounds and
interests.”
Her outstanding talents have helped the
University raise its education training and research profile. Last
year, spurred by Dr. Schaefer’s expertise, St. John’s introduced
its first
Early Immersion College Program. “We got the financial and
administrative support to enable us to bring some 50 urban
eighth-graders to the Queens campus for a four-day preview of the
college experience.”
She is also taking part in the effort to
create a Middle School Institute for Learning — slated to become a
cutting edge teaching strategy showcase — for grades 6 through 12.
Dr. Schaefer looks forward to turning this vision into a reality
and helping St. John’s make a difference in the quality and
effectiveness of education for adolescents.