FULL-CIRCLE RETURN

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October 2, 2024

For information on admission to Notre Dame Prep, please click here. 

Alumna embodies spirit of the school — a place where education transcends academics and creates lifelong bonds.

Deirdre Schiefer’s story is one of full-circle moments and deep-rooted connections. A proud graduate of Notre Dame Prep, she walked the halls from kindergarten through 12th grade, graduating with the Class of 2019. Now, as a new sixth-grade teacher at NDP’s middle school, Schiefer says she is excited to return to the school that helped shape her career and life.

After graduating, Schiefer attended Oakland University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education, specializing in English language arts (K-8) and early childhood education.

Deciding to return to Notre Dame Prep was not just a career choice; it was a heartfelt decision.

“The environment at NDP is something extremely special,” Schiefer explained. “This school is full of dedicated teachers who love their job and feel committed to creating students who are good people first and foremost.”

She added, “The students are hard-working, kind, good people, and I feel lucky to interact with them every day.”

Her favorite aspect of being back at NDP is the warmth of familiarity.

“It truly feels like returning home,” she said. “The teachers have been so welcoming, and some of the students are those I worked with in elementary school. My classroom is where I took technology with Mrs. (Melissa) York during my time here!”

For Schiefer, the school is a supportive community that continues to nurture her growth.

Rewarding and fulfilling

The spark for teaching ignited in Schiefer at a young age. “I started babysitting at 12 and knew then that this was my calling,” she recalls. “I love teaching because it’s one of the most rewarding and fulfilling things in the world. Seeing the spark in their eyes or hearing they love to come to school in the morning feels like I’m making the difference God has called me to in this world.”

Reflecting on her time at NDP, Deirdre emphasizes how the school's mission and academics prepared her for life after graduation.

“I feel that the mission of this school and its commitment to academics greatly prepared me for life after high school,” she said. “Entering my freshman year of college, I not only tested out of general education classes but also had the learning skills and dedication that Notre Dame instilled in me.”

Outside of teaching, Schiefer is an avid reader, having finished an impressive 60 books in just one year.

“I’m always happy to provide recommendations!” she laughed.

She enjoys spending time with her family, taking her labradoodle puppy for walks, skiing, and playing games.

Well-rounded students

Teaching sixth grade in an International Baccalaureate school does come with its challenges. Schiefer also points to the pervasive role of technology and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Technology is both an advantage and a challenge,” she said. “It offers incredible access to information, but it must be handled mindfully.”

She looks forward to learning more about the IB philosophy to help create well-rounded students.

If Schiefer could offer one piece of advice to her middle school self, it would be simple yet profound: “Remember that your friends do not define you, life is more than your grades, and enjoy what you love without worrying about others’ opinions.”

This wisdom reflects the values she aims to impart to her students today.

Schiefer’s journey from student to teacher is a testament to the enduring impact of Notre Dame Prep. With her heart set on nurturing the next generation of learners, she embodies the spirit of the school — a place where education transcends academics and creates lifelong bonds.

For information on admission to Notre Dame Prep, please click here.

Comments or questions? mkelly@ndpma.org

About Notre Dame Preparatory School
"At Notre Dame Prep, we inspire our students to become the best versions of themselves. We challenge them through an experience of academic excellence, focused on active, project-based learning. We invite them to explore a world of opportunities beyond the classroom. We guide them as they grow in spirituality within a community strong in its Catholic and Marist identity."

Notre Dame Preparatory School is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. Notre Dame Preparatory School's upper school enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame Prep's middle and lower schools enroll students in pre-kindergarten through grade eight. All three schools are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." NDP is conducted by the Marist Fathers and Brothers and is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the National Association of Independent Schools. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School, visit the school’s home page at www.ndprep.org.