A Detroit Country Day chemistry teacher is changing the way students learn.
Mrs. Julia Winter is making such a big change, the federal government is buying into her plans.
Being named an All Star is just one of the many awards Mrs. Winter has been honored with throughout her 22 years of teaching at DCDS. But now, she’s reaching outside her own classroom to teach students around the world.
“There’s a 40-50% fail rate in organic chemistry, we can fix that,” Winter says.
And she has a plan to fix it, creating an app that’s changing the way students learn backed by a $150,000 grant.
“To be completely honest, I’m not that great at organic chemistry – but luckily for me she is,” Senior Chris Sobeck says.
She’s been honored with countless awards for her work in progressive education named as a Teacher Trailblazer and a James Bryant Conant Award recipient.
“As a 55-year-old female founder, that’s not the easiest thing, in the world of entrepreneurship,” Winter says.
She certainly is a role model for students as she works on her second app helping you learn chemistry concepts.
“I think it’s really cool that she is being able to reach people who even if they’re not students, they’re able to enjoy it,” Senior Sonali Prasad says.
Still, the classroom is where she loves to be.
“I was meant to be a teacher through and through my life,” Winter says. “The classroom is my place and the students are my home.”
She’s determined to bring complex chemistry concepts to students near and far in a visual and entertaining way.
“She’s an all-star because she loves what she does and really makes it clear to her students that love it too,” Junior Tara Tang says.
“I know that what I’ve heard here can help students everywhere succeed where they haven’t succeeded before,” Winter says.
Mrs. Winter is launching the prototype for her new app at South by Southwest in March and plans to have it in college classrooms by the fall.
