He graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Science in Cellular and Molecular Biology. After undergrad he worked at Columbia University Medical Center in an infectious disease lab studying transmission and antibiotic resistance in Staphylococcus aureus. After deciding he was passionate about teaching, he attended Teachers College Columbia University for his graduate studies and began teaching biology in New York City. Before joining Huron High School, Mr. Hafer taught advanced biology and forensic science and coached cross country and track in Massachusetts. He lives in Ann Arbor with his wife and enjoys running, hiking, climbing and tennis.