Sixth Former Anna Liu’s cancer research at summer externship helps her see the big picture.
May 1, 2024
Five questions with Science Teacher Erin Ruane
Erin Ruane was the kid who asked for a chemistry set for her eighth birthday, spurred on by her pursuit of answers that in turn would lead to still more questions — a quality that she inherited from her parents. Her dad was manager of an environmental lab and her mom was a pharmacist, so “I think in some ways it’s almost genetic,” Ruane says. “Science has always been a part of my life.”
Ruane joined the St. Paul’s School community in 2021 to teach chemistry and physics following seven years as a teacher, dorm parent, adviser and coach at The Hill School in her native Pennsylvania. Today, she says, one of her favorite things is working in the Lindsay Center for Mathematics and Science labs with her students. “Watching the kids put two things together, and it changes color, and they’re just like, ‘how did that happen?’ That piece is just so much fun to watch and be a part of,” Ruane says as she sits at a table in one of the labs. “And with my experience as a kid loving those things, being able to show that to my students, too, it’s just really fun.”
What I love about boarding school is that everywhere, you’re teaching — you’re teaching on the fields [or] in LinC class or you’re teaching as you’re walking down the hallways.”
— Erin Ruane, science teacher
What drew you to St. Paul’s School?
After I saw the job posting, it was almost like love at first sight. I just felt a deep connection to SPS and the whole piece of living into our values of bearing the burdens of others and always remembering to be kind. It shines through everything that we do here. I’m a boarding school teacher through and through and I don’t think I could ever work anywhere else.
What is the most rewarding experience you’ve had teaching here?
I love teaching my students, but the most rewarding piece for me was being asked to be the Student Council faculty adviser this year. Seeing the Sixth Form officers take on these leadership roles and helping them think about [questions like,] “How can I lead this School in a direction that’s really important to us, that lives into our values?” That has been so much fun and really rewarding. What I love about boarding school is that everywhere, you’re teaching — you’re teaching on the fields [or] in LinC class or you’re teaching as you’re walking down the hallways. Just being able to be a part of this influential time of their lives, it’s really special. I feel like I’ve been very lucky this year.
What puts a smile on your face in the morning?
So many things. Actually, one of the reasons why my husband and I chose St. Paul’s is because I really love snow and the seasons. We have a Husky puppy and she loves the snow, so knowing that she gets excited about it makes me super happy. And, just starting the day. I love going to chapel; I love the fact that we get to spend that time together in the morning. Hearing the students speak or watching a student performance or listening to a guest speaker not only helps me clear my brain, but it also helps center myself for that day.
Is there a piece of advice you have for the SPS community?
Be fearless; all will come at the right time. You can put yourself out there and you can take risks. It’s something I need to remind myself. Have that difficult conversation, advocate for yourself. I truly believe that I’ve come to a place where I’m supposed to be, and I’m learning and growing at a time when I’m supposed to be here.
What is something people would be surprised to know about you?
I’m a huge Formula One racing fan. I will wake up very early on Sunday mornings to watch the races that are happening in Europe or across the world. I’m getting ready for that Japanese Grand Prix this weekend. There’s strategy and engineering that goes into designing the cars, and all of the physics and chemistry, and it’s so much fun to watch.
