July 21, 2025
Welcome back to MPA, Ms. Emma Stacy ‘15! Ms. Stacy—an MPA Lifer—returns to MPA as an Upper School chemistry teacher, and we are thrilled to welcome her again to the community.
From what school/organization are you coming?
I worked previously for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Tell us about your education and past experience.
I got my undergraduate degree in chemistry at Scripps College, where I tutored students in science courses, and my master’s degree in environmental studies from the University of Edinburgh. I’ve worked at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Duluth for the past four years as an analytical chemist working on ecological toxicology studies with fish and frogs.
What did you find appealing about MPA?
I attended MPA K-12, so it feels like home to me. It’s such a special community where every student is provided the opportunity to explore their passions to the fullest, and where teachers build meaningful relationships with students that foster both academic and personal growth. The students at MPA are uniquely passionate and invested in learning, and I can’t wait to return to share my excitement for science with them.
What lasting impact do you plan to have on MPA and its students?
I hope to leave a lasting impact on MPA by helping students see the importance of kindness, community, and mutual respect both in and beyond the classroom. I want every student to feel that they are welcome, valued, and capable of greatness in their own unique way. Through the way I teach, interact, and build relationships, I aim to create a classroom environment where curiosity thrives and students are empowered not just to learn, but to support one another and grow into compassionate, confident people ready to make a meaningful impact in the world.
What’s your big dream?
My dream is to create an environment where students feel safe, seen, and supported in exploring who they are and who they want to become. I want to be someone who helps students build confidence, not just in their academic abilities, but in their identity and potential. I also hope to impart my passion for science to every student in a way that’s lasting, whether it’s a deeper understanding of the world, a new way of thinking, or simply a spark of curiosity that stays with them long after they leave my classroom. If I can help students feel empowered and inspired to pursue their passions, whatever they may be, then I’ll feel like I’ve achieved something meaningful.
What are you and your family passionate about?
I’m deeply passionate about being in nature and finding adventure outdoors. Whether it’s downhill skiing, rock climbing, biking, or open water swimming, I feel most alive when I’m outside and challenging myself in new ways. One of my favorite rituals is getting into Lake Superior as often as I can—daily in the warmer months, and even in the winter (though then it’s more like once a month!). I’ve even surfed in Lake Superior a few times! There’s something uniquely energizing and centering about outdoor adventure—it helps me reset, stay curious, and feel deeply connected to the world around me.
What’s a fun fact about you that our community would love to know?
When I was in college, I lived in Ecuador for a summer volunteering in hospitals.
