Education remains one of his most passionate legislative issues and has also been his life's work. He spent over 30 years teaching American Government and American History and continues to teach community ed. He challenged over 12,000 students to think for themselves, speak out in the face of injustice, and find empowerment with a sense of political efficacy and civic virtue. He has led student, community, cultural, and historical tours of Washington, D.C., Europe, Cuba, and Israel. Steve has been married to Patti for 33 years and they raised two children, Erica and John. Steve is an avid camper, canoeist, and hiker in our state and national parks. He goes to the BWCAW every summer, missing only one year since 1979.

After being elected to the Minnesota Senate in 2016, Cwodzinski was appointed to and currently serves on the E-12 Finance and Policy, Environment and Natural Resources Policy and Legacy Finance, State Government Finance and Policy and Elections, and Veterans and Military Affairs Finance and Policy committees.