Evan Schwanfelder

7th & 8th Grade Teacher

eschwanfelder@nantucketlighthouseschool.org

Meet Evan

• M.A. Teaching: Secondary History/Social Studies Gr 7-12, Quinnipiac University

• B.A. History, Lewis and Clark College

Evan has worked as a professional educator for the last 15 years. Following graduate school in Connecticut, he held positions as a 7th-grade history teacher and as an elementary school librarian. In 2016, Evan met his future wife, Katie, and moved to the island full time. On Nantucket, he made a professional shift into the non-profit sector where he served, first, as the Manager of Education for the Nantucket Historical Association and then as the Director of Education for Egan Maritime Institute.

Over the last decade, Evan has worked closely with Nantucket students at both the primary and secondary level throughout all Nantucket schools using the island’s unique history, culture and environment as a lens to focus his lessons. He believes strongly in interdisciplinary, project-based learning where students are given the proper tools to discover their own answers to big questions, and where they are granted an environment to freely express and discuss ideas with their peers. Outside of school, Evan loves spending time with his wife Katie and two kids, Millie and Archie, along with pursuing his own passions for music, fly fishing, and being on the water.

What Nantucket Lighthouse School means to Evan

“I’ve always been amazed by the students and staff that I’ve worked with at Nantucket Lighthouse School over the years. They are inquisitive, compassionate, creative, and truly understand the importance of what it means to be part of a community. Now, as a parent with my own children at the school, my gratitude for what the school offers our kids has only deepened. I see my daughter’s love for school and learning grow every day, and I am incredibly grateful to be teaching full time at such an amazing educational community.”