Out of the classroom and into clean energy with Heidi Auel

Before she was a teacher and long before joining CERTs, Auel was a regular Minnesota kid. Growing up in Blaine, Auel recalls the familiar rhythms of suburban life.

“For the first eight years of my life we lived in a manufactured home park and it was amazing!” she says. “Having friends a short walk away and spending time at the park my mom could see from the kitchen window made for a great childhood.” 

Auel says these early years profoundly shaped her approach to community engagement.

“Eventually realizing that some people might have negative stigmas about living in trailer parks just didn’t align with my experience,” she says. “It reminds me of how important it is to make sure that communities like the one I lived in aren’t forgotten in our work.”

As Auel grew, so did her love for the outdoors. She recalls spending time at her grandparents' farm in rural Morris and summers camping on the lake near Ashby. Back home in Blaine, when Auel’s family eventually moved into a nearby house, Heidi recalls her dad taking full advantage of the new yard. Watching him tend to a lush garden of fresh carrots, potatoes, and beans every summer, had a lasting impact.

“Now I garden. I led the school garden when I was a teacher, and I was on the UMN Extension “Farm at the Arb” Advisory Committee… But my dad is still a much better gardener than me!” she says with a laugh.

Auel earned her degree in animal ecology and environmental studies from Iowa State University. During her college years, Auel found many ways to fuel her passions for community and environment.

“I worked in a corn genetics lab, tutored elementary students, and led wilderness classes and trips. In the summers I worked at camps, an outfitter near the BWCA, and was a naturalist in northern Wisconsin. After graduation, I pursued environmental education and taught at Deep Portage Learning Center, where I remain a member of the board of directors.”

Auel eventually enrolled in the Masters of Teaching program and earned her teaching license from Hamline University before moving to the Brainerd Lakes Area in 2008. From there, she started a family and went on to teach middle school science in the area for over a decade.  

These days, Auel's classroom extends far beyond traditional walls; it encompasses entire communities. Not only does she see it as a new teaching opportunity, but also an important moment to learn. 

“There are so many rural communities I had never thought to associate with sustainability and clean energy,” she says. “But now I'm continually amazed by the people and communities quietly championing sustainability and clean energy solutions.”

With a wealth of experience in both educational and nonprofit sectors, Auel finds herself deeply moved by CERTs initiatives in underserved and energy-burdened communities.

“Many nonprofits that serve low-income residents have old buildings that are not energy efficient,” says Auel. “Being able to help these organizations with efficiency measures translates to helping with utility bills and expenses. When they can put more funding into the services they provide for communities that rely on their help, everyone wins.”

As Auel’s journey continues to unfold, her path is a testament to the power of education and community engagement in fostering sustainable change.