Where Will STF Take You?
After One Bold Year: Beyond the Classroom
Seton Teaching Fellows isn't just a year of service—it's a career pathway to leadership and management roles with an impressive non-profit organization! If you're wondering where STF could take you, explore the following bios of a few Fellow alumni who are leading our network from the ground up.
Emilia Chornay
Emilia served as a Seton Teaching Fellow with Cohort 4 (2017-2018). She then taught at one of our network's elementary schools in the Bronx, and later became our National Director of Formation. Emilia, in her current Role analyzes and provides guiding data on the development and formation to guide the STF Formation Team. She lives in New York City with her husband and children, where she directly works with our Fellows and staff.

Emilia's Experience with STF
What was your undergraduate degree?
I studied chemical engineering at the University of Maryland.
Why did you want to be a Seton Teaching Fellow?
I wanted to verify Christ's call and promise that a life of radical love would fulfill me. I had a desire to live for others instead of myself, and wanted to experience the peace and joy Christ speaks of in Scripture. Lastly, I wanted to make a positive impact on the way that children were introduced to math and science.
What inspired you to pursue your current role?
A mentor of mine, an assistant principle at one of our schools, helped identify a desire to serve others through my natural gifts as a leader. I was already informally mentoring many Fellows and spent lots of time in graduate school considering the formation of teachers; little did I know those interests and desires would result in a very specific role on our national team!
How did the fellowship prepare you for the rest of your professional career?
I can't begin to name the whole bounty of fruits and graces I have received as a Fellow. Serving with STF was truly a life-changing gift. A very powerful influence from the fellowship was learning how to love my vocation as a lay person. It was in the everyday reality of mission, pursuing the ideal of Christ the Teacher, that I learned how to live the rest of my life as a Christian on earth, accepting the daily bread that God has given me for my sanctification in preparation to be in Heaven with Him.
Olivia Lang
Olivia served as a Seton Teaching Fellow with Cohort 3 (2016-2017). She then became an elementary school teacher for five years! After her time as a teacher, Olivia started her current role with Seton Education Partners, our overarching non-profit. She now ensures that Seton Education Partners and all of our programs are coordinated and flourishing at an organizational level.

Olivia's Experience with STF
What was your undergraduate degree?
I double majored in elementary education and elementary science & math. I also minored in Catholic Studies.
Why did you want to be a Seton Teaching Fellow?
As an education major, Seton Teaching Fellows not only fulfilled my desire to teach, but also my desire to serve. When comparing teaching in a Catholic School in my hometown and STF, the communities that STF serve stood out. I knew God was providing me an opportunity to challenge myself and provide kids the Catholic education they may otherwise not receive. I also saw so much love in my own Fellows' community - as well as care and authenticity to serve the common good of the neighborhood there.
What inspired you to pursue your current role?
As much as I loved working with kids and being in the classroom, I knew early on in my career that I wanted to pursue a more technical and administrative role within K-12 education. After teaching for five years, I was called back to Seton! In my current role, I am able to work for an educational organization with strong Catholic values, and I'm developing amazing professional skills that have helped me grow in a career outside the classroom.
How did the fellowship prepare you for the rest of your professional career?
My Fellow year made my heart bigger, especially in understanding and loving those around me. It also helped me to be open to God's plan and His desire for my life. As JPII said, "life with Christ is a wonderful adventure."
Moved by these stories? They could be yours too!
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