Engineering teacher Alex Haserodt is the kind of educator who makes you feel seen, supported and inspired whether you’re a student navigating middle school or a colleague growing in your craft. At DSST: College View Middle School, Alex’s work as a STEM teacher, house leader and curriculum designer is grounded in deep purpose and relentless curiosity.
“I have vivid memories of having a really hard time as an adolescent,” Alex shared. “Even though I had an idyllic household and wonderful opportunities, I found myself making meaningful connections with the adults in my life — especially my teachers. That, combined with my faith and desire to spread God’s love in the world, led me to seek out ways to engage with youth ever since high school. Regardless of people's faith, there is so much negativity in this world that if I can make someone's day better than I am having, my life means something."
That sense of purpose is felt in every corner of CVMS. Alex is known for her joyful presence, her thoughtful feedback, and her ability to connect with students on a deeply human level.
"Alex brings the most positive, hopeful perspective and 100% effort and focus to designing STEM curriculum, providing helpful and supportive feedback," shared Crystal Purvis, Senior Manager of STEM, Curriculum & Instruction. "From working together as co-teachers of STEM at CVMS, to working with her as a STEM teacher leader in the network now, Alex has a passion for excellence in STEM education accompanied by relentless curiosity and creativity."
Alex has taught across multiple grade levels, co-written the Robotics and Coding course now being piloted across DSST, and helped shape the school’s STEM Lab experience. Her work has increased project completion and quality, and she’s been a key contributor to CV’s literacy growth by embedding meaningful language supports into STEM instruction.
But her impact goes far beyond curriculum. “As much as our world tries to put people in black and white boxes or with stereotypes, I believe firmly that people are shades of grey,” Alex said. “There’s always something to be learned by making a connection with another human, whether they’re 12 or 45. The joy comes in finding ways to be proud of what we’ve accomplished, how we've positively impacted those around us or when we just take a moment to be ridiculously awkward and silly and laugh."
Students trust Alex. She’s the adult who knows what’s going on beneath the surface, the one who’s already thinking about how to support a student before anyone else even realizes they need it. She leads restorative conversations, builds community, and helps students grow in confidence as learners and as people.
"If you want to know what rumblings of drama are, or what deep concerns students are facing in their personal lives, it's very likely that Alex knows and is already looking for ways to support them proactively," Crystal said. "Alex uses our systems at DSST positively and proactively so that students who are in her classes or advisory grow in their confidence as learners and community members."
And her commitment to education doesn’t stop at DSST. Through the Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship Program, Alex spent time in Kenya working alongside faculty at Kisii University to support the country’s Competency-Based Curriculum for STEM. She facilitated teacher training workshops, helped realign curriculum to emphasize problem-solving and innovation, and mentored faculty to build sustainable systems for professional development.
“I love STEM and the human side of solving problems,” Alex said. “There’s something wonderful about helping young people grow and navigate such a challenging time in their lives. That blend -- the love of learning and the love of connection -- is what makes this work so meaningful.”