Coming from Lake Howell High School, ninth grade AP Human Geography teacher Gregory Wedel joined Trinity Prep this fall. As an elementary student, Wedel was a voracious reader of history books which inspired him to become a history teacher.
“History has always been my first love,” Wedel said. “When I was in elementary school as a child in fourth grade, the librarian had the fifth grade history teacher come talk to me and recommend books because I had already read everything in the library.”
Outside of school, Wedel has a passion for a variety of different activities including reading and baking.
“I really enjoy reading both literature and nonfiction history related items, baking kind of relaxes me, and I’m really big into movies, including classics and international films,” Wedel said.
Before teaching history, Wedel was an aspiring musician who was part of a Christian rock band.
“I managed and ran sound for this band and we had created some buzz and so we went to Nashville,” Wedel said. “It just became apparent that we either needed to go on the road full time and live out of a van to make it or move on, and I don’t think at that point most of us were willing to live out of a van anymore.”
Fast forward to today, Wedel is pleased with his decision to switch to a career in education instead of music.
“Professionally I would say that I’m pretty satisfied with what I’ve accomplished so far but that doesn’t mean that I’m going to sit back … I’ve still got many years ahead still,” Wedel said.
To keep his students engaged in the curriculum, Wedel brings traditions from his previous teaching experiences such as celebrating Scottish poet Robert Burns by hosting a Burns Day brunch on January 25 where he will bring baked goods and oatmeal.
Wedel is looking forward to continuing his career at Trinity and is excited for the years ahead at his new school.
“I really hope that I’m able to help my AP Human Geography students have success on the AP exam and establish both their academic reputations and to some degree my own here on campus,” Wedel said.
