Teaching the teachers, she keeps her eyes on the future

Few people have as much direct influence on future generations as Erin Pepelnjak. Through her role as an instructor at the University of Minnesota Duluth, she teaches future teachers.

Pepelnjak never intended to be a teacher, and in fact had her heart set on becoming a dentist. She started her teaching career at the high school and middle school levels before moving on to the university level.

“College students are more intimidating than teaching 12-year-olds,” she admitted. “But I can say, ‘Wow — I get to influence our profession by influencing future teachers.’”

In addition to indirectly guiding future generations of schoolkids, many of Pepelnjak’s students and advisees consider her a significant influence in their own lives. Thus, Pepelnjak is a natural choice for the Mentor Award — given to a woman who has acted as an experienced and trusted advisor to those around her.

Home on the range

Pepelnjak is originally from Virginia. She and her older sister were raised by two caring parents, and were also loved and supported by an extended family of friends, she said. Their mother was a teacher, and their dad was a “jack of all trades,” who, over the years, worked in teaching, sales, mining, and hospitality.

For her entire life, Pepelnjak told everyone she knew that she wanted to become a dentist. With this goal in mind, she earned a bachelor’s degree in microbiology from Montana State University in Bozeman. While in Montana, she reconnected with her future husband John, who was from her hometown. John was there to earn a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry.

A tough realization

Pepelnjak was later accepted into the Minnesota School of Dentistry. She hated it, she said, and quit after 26 days.

PHOTO BY to come to in my life.”

From her mom, Pepelnjak had learned that there weren’t enough substitute teachers, and signed up for the program. She was offered a long-term, full-time substitute teaching job at Cook High School.

“It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life,” she said, referring to the demanding, often overwhelming, pace of a career in education.

Despite the challenges inherent in the profession, Pepelnjak decided she wanted to become a teacher. She went back to school and earned a master’s degree in education from the University of Minnesota.

The couple moved to Duluth in 2004. Pepelnjak taught middle school science for eight years, in Hopkins, Minn., and Duluth. After being laid off from the Duluth School District due to budget cuts, she applied, and was hired, to be an adjunct instructor at UMD.

At first, she worked part-time, supervising student teachers. Today, she teaches future secondary school teachers, with a focus on subjects like assessment practices, teaching methods, science education, lesson planning and more. She has been an instructor at UMD for eight years. Her husband, John, is a chiropractor in Two Harbors.

Her own mentors

While today, Pepelnjak is a mentor to many, she has a few special mentors in her own life. First: her mom, dad, and sister.

“My parents and my sister all have an admirable work ethic, and are selfless when it comes to caring for others,” Pepelnjak said. “They have tons of heart. They also go out of their way to create special memories for our family every chance they get.”

Pepelnjak’s “career mentor” is Dr. Julia Williams, a professor at UMD, who is also a published author. “Dr. Williams tapped me to teach my first class,” Pepelnjak said. “She said, ‘you can do this.’ I have picked up so many pearls of wisdom from her on teaching, parenting, and life. When she speaks, I listen.”

Family and other interests

The Pepelnjaks have two children: Isla, 13; and Doca, 10. They also have an Australian cattle dog named Ollie. Both Erin and John’s parents have family cabins, and the entire family enjoys skiing, boating, and other outdoor activities.

In her free time, Pepelnjak likes to hike, ski and bake. She also likes to run; Isla and Erin plan to run the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon together this summer.

Civic engagement is another priority for her. Pepelnjak served for four years on the Lester Park Elementary School

Foundation, where she helped with fundraising efforts.

Nomination

Pepelnjak was nominated for the Mentor Award by two of her former students and advisees, Courtney Anderson and Orianna Scherer. Together, they said, “Erin is a bright and shining star at UMD. She is an outstanding teacher who is compassionate and dedicated to each of her students’ achievements. She has inspired me to strive to be the best science teacher I can be.”

They continued, “Erin was the best mentor and advocate I have ever had, and she made a tremendous difference in my education. I have no doubt that 20 years from now, if you ask many young scientists in the Duluth and Twin Cities areas which science teacher inspired them in school, the roots of that teacher may be traced back to Erin Pepelnjak’s incredible work in the education department at UMD.”

Of the award, Pepelnjak said, “It’s great to be recognized for doing what you love. And, when it’s your students saying you made a difference … well, that’s why we do what we do.” D

18 June | July 19

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