Notre Dame welcomed many new faculty members this school year including one of the new teachers in the English department named Sadie LaJoe.

LaJoe attended college at UW-Green Bay where she majored in English and minored in Secondary Education and Speech Communication.

She obtained her masters in Educational Technology at Marian University.

After college, LaJoe taught at Shiocton High School and then taught English for seven years at Ashwaubenon High School.

“I decided to become a teacher because I enjoy making a difference in students’ lives through literature,” said LaJoe.

After being a teacher, LaJoe worked in sales for eight years.

Then she switched to being a marketing specialist for the Catholic Foundation at the Diocese.

“At the Catholic Foundation, I wrote letters, created marketing materials, worked on video and audio pieces and created social media campaigns for both annual giving campaigns and planned giving seminars,” she said.

After working these two jobs, LaJoe decided to return to the classroom, so she applied at Notre Dame Academy.

“I decided to apply at Notre Dame because I missed the daily interaction with my students. Teaching here at Notre Dame allows me to connect with my students both academically and spiritually,” said LaJoe.

She believes that it is important through literature to expose students to perspectives and opinions that may be different from their own.

She also believes in teaching her students how to disagree agreeably, and, most importantly, how to respect and treat others with kindness.

“I want to prepare my students for their futures after they leave NDA both academically and personally. I’m confident students here at NDA want to be challenged, prepared for college and grow personally, spiritually,” said LaJoe.

She hopes that on graduation day, students reflect on their four years at NDA and feel confident about their futures.

Outside of school, LaJoe likes to spend time with her husband and three children and enjoys traveling and cooking.

She also is in the process of restoring a 1910 American Foursquare home.

“It’s a true fixer-upper. I guess I have a passion for bringing old homes back to life,” she explained.

Overall, LaJoe appreciates all of the support and kindness she has received from parents, students and staff.

“My final words of wisdom for my students are to stay humble, work hard and be kind,” said LaJoe.