Shaker High School

Meet Chelsea Murphy, North Colonie’s new K-12 District ELA & Libraries Supervisor! Chelsea grew up in Waterford and now lives in Clifton Park with her family. She spent six years teaching high school English at Scotia-Glenville High School.

“I’m excited to support teachers and help shape learning across the district,” she said.

Chelsea was drawn to North Colonie for its culture of collaboration and commitment to excellence.

“This district values both educators and students, and I’m thrilled to be part of it,” she shared. "I’m passionate about lifelong learning and believe that every student’s voice matters. I look forward to building strong relationships with staff, students, and families as we work together to make North Colonie the best it can be."

Outside of work, Chelsea enjoys sailing, practicing yoga, spending time with family, and exploring new places.

Please join us in welcoming Chelsea Murphy to North Colonie!

Big news for North Colonie families! This year we’re rolling out Stopfinder, a new transportation app that keeps you connected to your child’s bus schedule, allowing you to see the bus location in real time, get alerts when the bus is near home or school, share schedules with caregivers, and receive important updates about their route.

Download the app today and keep an eye out for the activation email that will be sent out on Thursday, Aug. 14!

Meet Dr. Brian Carey, North Colonie’s new Assistant Superintendent for Business. A Capital Region native, Dr. Carey grew up in Clifton Park before moving to Babylon in third grade. He and his wife returned to Upstate New York knowing, "wanted our children to attend North Colonie schools. We recognized opportunities here that we simply didn’t see in other districts." In 2024, their son graduated from Shaker High School. “Throughout his time here, he found a place where he was not only challenged academically, but also engaged in sports and a variety of extracurricular activities,” Dr. Carey shared.

Before joining North Colonie, Dr. Carey spent eight years as the Assistant Superintendent for Business and Support Services at Schodack Central School District, where he oversaw departments including finance, facilities, transportation, technology, food services, and capital projects. His background also includes leadership roles at the Northeastern Regional Information Center (NERIC), where he managed multi-million dollar budgets and worked with districts across the region. He holds a Ph.D. in Education Policy and Leadership from the University at Albany, where his research focused on employee retention in school transportation.

“What excites me most about this role is the chance to be part of a district that genuinely values its students, staff, and community,” he said. “Being able to contribute to an organization so committed to excellence and support is incredibly motivating.”

He’s also always up for a good conversation about personal finance. “I’m always happy to chat with anyone who’s interested in the topic!” Please join us in welcoming Dr. Carey!

From Latham, NY to Fife, Scotland! Shaker Latin teacher Mrs. Edythe Malara-Lutjen took the international stage at the 2025 Classical Association Conference, sharing how she brings ancient texts to life for today’s students. To read more about Mrs. Malara-Lutjen’s trip and presentation, go to our website.

 As North Colonie CSD celebrates its 75th anniversary, the Shaker Loudonville Fire Department’s Explorer Post is celebrating 50 years. Shaker High School students Brayden Blanchard and Jack Monette are proud members of the Explorer Post and are gaining real-world experience while continuing their family traditions in service. To learn more about Explorer Post 475, go to the link in our bio.

On Monday night, recent Shaker High School graduate Mira Ginsburg was honored as one of 10 high school recipients in the 2025 Capital District Sports Women of the Year Class, recognized for her outstanding achievements in academics, athletics, and community service. Mira has gone above and beyond to promote inclusivity at Shaker. She founded the Include the Blue Club as a sophomore and served as its President. She is also heavily involved with Special Olympics NY and has raised thousands of dollars for that organization. Her impact will continue to shape a more inclusive school culture for years to come. Congratulations Mira on this well-deserved honor!

Congratulations are also in order for Kayla Beaudoin, daughter of Loudonville Elementary PE teacher Ron Beaudoin, on her recognition!

Summer Seminar is helping SHS students grow—both academically and personally! The Summer Seminar class is taking learning outside the classroom and into the sunshine, where students will spend the day building a vertical garden, planting pumpkins, and even starting the day with yoga.