Wanderlust Wallace: Teacher and avid adventurer

BY EMMA FRANZ

At Cooper City High School, Daniel Wallace is recognized as the Earth Space and AP Environmental Science teacher or junior varsity volleyball coach. Outside of school, however, he is known as quite the eager explorer.

Wallace not only enthusiastically discusses the topic of science, but also immediately stands out with his eagerness to explore and discover planet Earth.

“I think we all need to look outward a little bit more and have fun doing it,” Wallace said.

“My first impression of Mr. Wallace was that he is a very fun guy who will make learning fun,” freshman Jordyn Hustey said. “He knows what he wants and he will make it happen to help his students.”

Wallace provides a creative and fascinating classroom experience for those that are fortunate enough to have him as a teacher. Day to day he brings back souvenirs from his past excursions and incorporates them into the lessons being taught within his class.

“There is never a dull moment in Mr. Wallace’s class,”  junior Kelli Anne Schlosser said. “You can really tell that he is motivated to teach about what he is most passionate about, science.”

Most of his students would agree that his science classes don’t compare to any others. Students are gaining an education while also enjoying the process.

“I think we all need to look outward a little bit more and have fun doing it,” Wallace said.

“I often identify with Pocahontas because she was a ravenous explorer,”  Wallace said. “She always wondered what was around the next riverbed and I relate to her in that aspect.”

Aside from being a teacher, Wallace is an explorer.  He first discovered his passion for outrageous adventures after attending an outdoor summer camp as a child.  He was inspired by the climbers at the camp, which later led to his attachment to nature.

“When you are a climber you get this awesome appreciation for nature and the outdoors,” Wallace said.  

As much as he gained tons of outdoor experience at camp, he really grew fond of nature and travel after studying astronomy during his senior year of high school. Wallace appreciated how his teacher balanced his spiritual life with his love for teaching and the world that surrounded him. Shortly after, he had realized that he wanted to live the same way.

One of Wallace’s major excursions was a biking trip below the equator. Wallace and three other men read many books to prepare for this journey.  They decided to pack up their bags and bike through South America as a group known as “One Road South.” Throughout this endeavor, Wallace connected with the people, language, culture and environment of each and every country he biked through.

“I often identify with Pocahontas because she was a ravenous explorer,”  Wallace said. “She always wondered what was around the next riverbed and I relate to her in that aspect.”

“My mission right now is to educate people on how to be good stores for this planet,” Wallace said.

Wallace ties together his love of the planet with his desire to travel. The planet is what provides him with most of the voyages that he takes part in, so the connection between Wallace and planet Earth is a strong one.

“Every time I am out with the environment or with nature, that motivates me to just want to explore more,” Wallace said.

Wallace manages to stay connected to the world by living on a sailboat. He has high hopes that in the future he will sail down a never-ending path of adventure.

After many explorations, he has grown his passion for the environment. Wallace works to use his platform as a teacher to preserve the planet.

“My mission right now is to educate people on how to be good stores for this planet,” Wallace said.

It is definitely clear that Wallace has a chronic case of wanderlust; whether it’s a simple walk in nature or a five-month bike ride throughout South America, it is safe to say that Wallace has achieved the title of “extreme explorer.”

“I explore because I am addicted to learning about my world,” Wallace said.

Photo by Cassie Hartmann