Before becoming a teacher at St. Ursula Academy, Madeleine Toerne ’13 was a student. She attended All Saints Catholic School in Rossford before starting at SUA. Some of her extra-curricular activities included performing in musicals, playing lacrosse, participating in student council, and writing for The Ursuline newspaper.

After graduating, Maddie earned her B.S. in Education from Ohio University. But instead of heading straight to the classroom, she chose adventure. She worked seasonally in the Grand Tetons, traveled through the Southwest, and eventually became an interpretive park ranger on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Asheville, North Carolina. When that job ended, she began teaching 7th-grade English in a small rural school in Swannanoa, NC. After two years, she returned home to Toledo—and eventually, to SUA.

Now a faculty member, Maddie teaches English alongside some of her former teachers. One of the most meaningful experiences has been becoming colleagues with those who first inspired her, especially Chrissy Rode, whose AP British Literature class sparked her dream of teaching. She finds joy when students are deeply moved by the literature they study, saying their insights and curiosity keep her passion alive. She mentions Pam Buehrer, Mary Ann Hodges, Linda Savercool, Julie Coolidge, Kevin Shannon, and Michelle Mello specifically as the teachers and campus ministers who significantly impacted her life during her formative years.

Maddie’s SUA experience—both as a student and teacher—has shaped who she is. She’s also a musician who plays the guitar and writes music. She once made waves in the college DIY music scene and hopes to perform again someday. Though life is busy with a toddler now, her love for stories, songs, and SUA remains steady.