Biology professor reminisces about 11 years at AR campus
By Mia Colic
Staff Writer
Young, eccentric and eager to teach, Jennifer Braido is one of Anoka Ramsey’s Biology 1100 professors.
She’s been digging in the dirt and teaching the difference between Meiosis and Mitosis since 2004.
Braido explained what exactly made her want to spend her life teaching young stressed students biology.
“Since I was a little girl I have always wanted to be a teacher, I just wasn’t sure which grade I wanted to teach. After high school I went to the community college in my county (College of Lake County in Grayslake, IL) and had some really incredible teachers,” Braido said.
Having great, supporting professors is ideal for success as well.
“My microbiology professor became my mentor and he told me that one day I was going to take his job when he retired. He saw potential in me I had not recognized yet and really inspired me to pursue biology as a major and in graduate school. He told me that we needed more girls in math and science and to keep working hard to pursue my dream,” said Braido.
Braido knew what her dream was and she worked hard for it.
Not only is Professor Braido smart but she has humor in her as well. At first she didn’t always think teaching was her calling, she had some other dreams as well.
“Well, after I decided being Wonder Woman wasn’t gonna happen,yes I owned Wonder Woman under-roos and wore them on top of my clothes complete with the yellow construction paper crown my dad helped me make one year to trick or treat,I decided being a teacher would be great. I’ve always wanted to be a teacher,” Braido said.
Since Braido started her teaching at Anoka Ramsey, she’s made some great and interesting memories as well. Especially seeing students succeed in her summer classes.
Her biggest advice to freshman is to pace themselves and to not stress.
“In general freshman year is all about transition. And transition can be really hard. It’s really important to be kind to yourself. That means give yourself a break once in a while! Don’t overwhelm yourself with too much at one time. To much school, too much work, too much friends – too much of anything is NOT a good thing. College is challenging – some semesters more so than others. It’s important to pace yourself with your homework and studying,” said Braido.