Jamie Winchell, teacher librarian at Julian Middle School.
District 97’s "Making MyD97 Better" Award recognizes staff, students, parents and community members who are making our schools a better place for all. The district will choose a winner each month, and share their stories through our newsletters, website and social media pages.
We are happy to announce our "Making MyD97 Better" winner for May 2022: Jamie Winchell, teacher librarian at Julian Middle School.
In her seven years at Julian, Jamie has cultivated a library environment where middle-schoolers engage in authentic learning, while developing interactive digital literacy lessons to bring into classrooms. Both in and outside the library, Jamie makes sure every student at Julian feels welcome and knows they belong.
“[The library] has become a safe haven for many of our students that struggle during the day,” said special education teacher Mia Bringley, who nominated Jamie for the award. “Julian is a much better school because of the work Jamie does for our staff and students.”
Jamie said her collaboration with Julian library assistant Alyssa McGrone, Brooks teacher librarian Jen Nelson, and Brooks library assistant Darren Alejos is essential to her impact at the middle school. The team co-plans thematic lessons together and shares a wealth of wisdom and experience. “I am a better librarian because of them,” Jamie said.
Check out the video we made for Jamie by clicking the box below or by visiting https://youtu.be/B2XlMwWKESw.
Do you know someone—a teacher, staff member, parent, student or community member—who is helping to make D97 a better place for all? Share their story and nominate them for a "Making MyD97 Better" Award!