PrepNow Tutor - Julie W.
A seasoned educator, Julie has taught high school English and social studies as well as literary skills and ACT and AP prep. “I have wanted to be a teacher since I was 10. I love kids, I love school, and I am absolutely passionate about learning,” she shares. Julie earned a master’s in teaching and curriculum and a bachelor’s in political theory (with a minor in English, secondary education) from Michigan State University.
From 2001-4, she taught civics, geography, and economics; from 2009-13, she specialized in ACT prep in group and one-on-one settings; from 2014-16, she taught 10th and 11th grade English and social studies, including topics like global issues, civics, economics, world history, and AP government; and, since 2019, she has been working with upper-middle schoolers in English and US history. Having also worked as a middle school literacy specialist for 3 years, Julie is adept at helping students fill gaps in comprehension and composition. “Once my children were born and in school, I became a significantly better teacher and began to see my role in the development of the whole child. I take the most pride in my relationships with students, especially ones that have continued over time,” she says.
Former teachers inspired Julie to pursue education with utmost respect and compassion for students. Her AP Calculus teacher, in particular, made a huge impact. “I was one of the lowest students in that class, and it was the first time I ever felt dumb in school. I worked terribly hard, but I just couldn't get it. My teacher worked with me every morning during school days. He never showed impatience or frustration with me. I don't remember anything about calculus, but I remember the crushing feeling of not being good enough, and I remember my teacher's kindness and gentleness,” she reflects.
Julie’s conversational, often humorous, approach creates a relaxed, open learning environment. “I am conversational; I ask lots of questions to help students work through ideas,” she offers. With decades of experience, she’s quick to pivot in the moment to match students’ interests and meet them where they are. “Students often describe me as enthusiastic/high energy,” she adds. Her sense of humor allows her to build authentic, supportive relationships with students. “I think I am like this when teaching because this is the kind of parent I am, and I view teaching as an extension of parenting in some ways,” she concludes.
As a student, she was in band, choir, NHS, and the school newspaper. In college, she held a regular job and volunteered in various capacities, like reading for visually impaired students and serving as a docent at the campus natural history museum.
An avid reader and audiobook listener, she loves immersing herself in myriad genres, including nonfiction, fiction, politics, and history. She and her husband share a sense of wanderlust, and in the past three years, they have visited the UK, Ireland, France, Portugal, and (soon) New Zealand. When she’s not reading or exploring, she loves going to live concerts. “My favorite recent concert experiences have been seeing Bruno Mars in Chicago and Noah Kahan in Cincinnati.”
Fun flying fact: “I have an irrational fear of places that are too far north or too far south on a map. (I always tell my students about this one, and they love to tease me about it.)”
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