If Mallory Schmidt could live anywhere in the world, she would live in a cabin up North. “My ultimate dream,” Schmidt said, “would be to own a hobby farm, so we could have a couple of acres, some animals, and we could go fishing as well.”
A Minnesota girl at heart, Schmidt taught at St. Thomas University before joining the Saint Paul Academy and Summit School staff. Schmidt teaches chemistry and physics, and loves both, but keeps chemistry closest to her heart. “I started looking at chemistry and did research in environmental chemistry. Then I did seminar in organic chemistry for over a year and I ended up liking it… I never really looked back.”
After teaching a college-level course in organic chemistry, Schmidt turned to SPA because of the guidance she could give students. “When you advise someone at this level, the possibilities are almost endless,” Schmidt said.
Her favorite demonstrations in class are the ones that illicit the most oohs and ahs. “One of the most fun [physics demonstrations] is obviously the bed of nails,” Schmidt said. “It’s really fun and interactive.” As for chemistry, “Anytime you get to blow something up is fun. They like the big booms.”
Outside of school, Schmidt likes to run, and cook and play with her pets. The newest addition to her collection of two dogs and three cats will be sea horses, raised in her own salt water tank. “I love the way they’re shaped, I love the way they move, and how they just hang out,” Schmidt said.
Schmidt wants SPA students to know that she has their best interests at heart. “Everyone here, myself included, wants you to do well and succeed.”