Berks Athena award goes to local STEM educator

Women2Women of the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance has named Adelle Schade as its 2023 Athena Leadership Award recipient. 

The founder of Total Learning Experience and Dean of Pre-College and Summer Programs at Albright College will be honored at the organization’s 12th Annual Conference + Expo. 

In a release, Women2Women said Schade has been a catalyst for educational change in Berks County. Total Experience Learning was named a top four STEM program in the United States in 2019 by District Administrator Journal.  

In December 2022, the program received international recognition at the United Nations as the most innovative educational model by the Materials Science sub-division of the United Nations.  

Schade has taken the program from the high school environment to launching a world-class program that embraces students and educators. Developing a curriculum for teachers while continuing to push the boundaries for students. 

Schade’s leadership and expertise also extends to the Berks County community.  

At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Schade partnered with community leaders and manufacturers to address PPE shortages in the community. She worked to source 3-D printers and supplies to print equipment for first responders, educators and those in most need of protection from the virus.