Environmental Teacher by Reluctance

Environmental Teacher by Reluctance

                From U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to contemplating becoming a veterinarian, Brad Wold knew he never wanted to be a teacher.

                Growing up on a farm with a long tradition of hunting and fishing and just spending time out of doors, Wold became interested early on in, “being a good steward of the resources that we have”.  After getting his Masters in Biology he began working for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  It was during that time that he came to a crossroads in his life between deciding if he should continue in his career with the Fish and Wildlife Service or perhaps pursue a career as a veterinarian.  Ironically, he knew that teaching was a career he never wanted to pursue.  However, one thing led to another in his life and he ended up teaching high school for a short time and learning that he actually enjoyed it.  As it turned out, more doors began opening for him and due to a staff member being on a leave of absence in Hibbing he got his foot in the door at Hibbing Community College.  Concurrently, Anoka-Ramsey Community College, Cambridge announced a position for astronomy and chemistry that Wold applied for and he has been teaching at the Cambridge Campus now for the last 26 years. 

            Wold’s current role on the Cambridge Campus has taken him away from astronomy and chemistry that he applied for so long ago and back into his field of expertise, biology.  He currently teaches, Human Anatomy and Physiology, Environmental Science and Microbiology.  As well as being an instructor for these courses Wold has also taken time out with fellow peers and faculty members to improve the trails by creating guides and maps of the restored prairie on the Cambridge Campus of Anoka-Ramsey Community College.

                “I was part of a committee with Mary Janushcka, Phil Anderson, and Bill Carlson a community member.  We all worked together on setting up trail signs and guide maps.  It was a collaborative project”, stated Wold. 

                What Wold didn’t really say, but was very evident in the care and time he took showing each plant was that he was very proud of the website he created in addition to the signage and maps.  Clicking through a variety of grasses and wildflowers until he finally found the right one Wold stopped on a bright purple flower that somewhat resembled a sunflower. 

                “This is my favorite, the New England Aster.  In this particular picture I like how I captured the grasshopper just sort of hanging out”, remarked Wold.

                Wold tries to put into practice the same concepts he illustrates in class, but to be environmentally friendly is not always practical.  Living with his wife and three children, two of which are still at home, on a hobby farm with horses he remarked that he does his best.  The top three things he does to be a good steward?

                “I recycle, I compost and I grow a big garden every year”, said Wold.