Welcome to the #DragonFamily: David Wolff

Moorhead native, David Wolff is MSUM's new Assistant Professor of Elementary Education in the School of Teaching & Learning. He will be teaching methods courses (e.g., reading, science) to teacher-candidates in their junior and senior years before the students go out and teach.

Q: What inspired you to go into the world of education?
A: I've been in education since I was twenty years old. I just wanted to make a difference in a child's life. Just being a caring adult in their lives, that is a big part of what we do in education. Making the transition into teacher education in this type of role mostly came from my experience of being a principle and coach. I like getting to see the excitement that new teachers bring in with their new ideas. That is when I decided I wanted to go back and get my doctorate and work with new teachers.

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
A: I think it would be interesting to visit Peru or Brazil and experience the culture.

Q: Do you have any hobbies that you like to take part in?
A: I do a lot of cooking. Being gluten free, I like to test out my own recipes at home with my family.

Q: What are you excited about for this school year?
A: It's always exciting to help prepare the teacher candidates for their student teaching; it's the epitome of the program. It is exciting to hand them off then see them at graduation, transformed into teachers. I am also teaching an interesting class for our elementary and early childhood folks, a behavior trauma and mental health class. It helps teachers understand how we can attend to our kids' cultural needs and mental health needs to benefit the students more.

Q: What's your favorite TV show or movie?
A: Star Wars, the original trilogy, is the best, or any of the new ones like Rouge.