Mr. Schmidt can claim an impressive achievement: visiting every state park in Minnesota.
His passion for the outdoors was sparked in Duluth, where he went to college at the University of Minnesota for his undergraduate degree. He was originally pursuing a degree in pharmaceutical studies, but changed his mind. “I did some job shadowing things, and I’m like ‘man, I just, I don’t know about pharmacy,” Schmidt told me. He thought back to a project he did in middle school about wanting to become a teacher, and reached out to his high school chemistry teacher for advice, ultimately switching majors to focus on becoming a chemistry and biology teacher.
“Duluth was amazing,” he said. “It’s where I became me. I got into all the outdoor stuff, hiking and canoeing and fishing and all the outdoor activities that are up on the North Shore… I really love Duluth. I try to go back there every year.”
His time in Duluth has contributed to his passion for visiting state parks, and his new goal: bringing his family to visit every national park. “We’ve been to I think thirty-two national parks so far. We’re trying to get to as many as we can…This past summer we went to all the Utah [parks]…I think next summer we’re going to go out to Seattle, and there’s North Cascades, Mount Rainier, and Olympic, all kind of around that area.”
Plunging into Mammoth Cave in Kentucky, Mr. Schmidt and his family brave the darkness ahead, checking another National Park off their list.
In addition to his love for parks, Mr. Schmidt also enjoys golf, photography, reggae music, and road biking—which he’s done extensively, having biked from Duluth to the Twin Cities, and from Rochester to the Twin Cities.
After college, Mr. Schmidt taught for four years at Kasson-Mantorville, then for 13 years at John Marshall, until there was an opening for a position at Mayo this year. “The kids are amazing,” he said. “The academics have been top notch…and everyone just seems so kind.”
The sun shines brightly over Yosemite National Park as Mr. Schmidt and his family go for a pleasant bike ride.
If Mr. Schmidt could say one thing to the Spartan community, it would be this: “… always put yourself in other people’s shoes, and just experience life to the fullest, and do things you love doing and don’t worry about everything else.”
He would also encourage students to come visit him and hang out. “I feel like I’m a pretty laid back person. I’m a good listener, and my door’s always open to talk or chat about anything.”
