Mr. Craig Wolter is the 2003 Central Section recipient of NAGT's Outstanding Earth Science Teacher Award. Craig graduated in 1989 with a B.S. in Earth Science Education from Southwest State University, Marshall, Minnesota. In 1998 he received an M.S. in Science Education from Southwest State. Craig has taught in the Windom Area School District since August 1990, where his teaching assignments include earth science, physical science, advanced earth science, and two senior high school meteorology courses. He served as an adjunct professor at Worthington Community College during the summers of 1995 and 1996.
Participation in professional activities beyond the classroom has been a beneficial and valuable experience for Craig. Since receiving his teaching degree, he has spent a minimum of 2 weeks each summer in training or studying different scientific disciplines. He also pursues endless opportunities to share and present his ideas for making science challenging and exciting for students. He is an active member of numerous professional organizations and uses publications to assist other educators in showing that science is the subject of real life adventures.
An important and successful approach to teaching includes two field study programs that he has developed for students. "The Natural History of the Black Hills" is a summer science enhancement program for middle school students. The other field experience is a meteorological project in the middle of Tornado Alley in Oklahoma.
The Minnesota Science Teachers Association named Craig the 2002 Minnesota Middle School Science Teacher of the Year. He has also received the Vincent J. Marteka Award for innovation and creativity in teaching science, an award from the American Chemistry Council for innovative teaching in science, and the SMSU Teacher Showcase Award. Craig also received an Alumni Achievement Award from Southwest State University this past fall.
Craig has provided students with endless opportunities, expanded their horizons in science, and instilled in them life-long learning skills. Students and colleagues alike attest to his unbounded energy and enthusiasm as a catalyst to foster excellence.