by Kiran Bogusky ’26
Chemistry is the way science explains the material world. It shows us what glues the most basic constituents of everything together. It’s a subject that is so deep and complex, that it is difficult to sum up in just two semesters. And yet, here at Bellarmine, our teachers have managed to do it. This year, the chemistry department is getting new faces and opinions.
To help us understand these new changes, we interviewed Mr. Winter, a new and promising chemistry teacher, about himself, his relation to chemistry, and his opinions about his new community here at Bellarmine.
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Q: Before you came to Bellarmine, what was your experience at your last school?
A: My last school I worked at was called Pacific Collegiate School. It was in Santa Cruz, a small public charter school. I was the only chemistry teacher there. While there were definitely ups and downs, I was able to teach the things that I wanted to teach, and what I felt was important for students, but I didn’t really have anyone else to collaborate with.
Q: And how did you hear about Bellarmine?
A: My wife was a graduate student at UC Santa Cruz, and so we have family in the East Bay in Sacramento. Since Santa Cruz was just a little bit too far away for our families. A while later, I met Mrs. Janisse, who was the former chemistry teacher here, and I applied, and got the job. So it’s kind of funny: we did a flip-flop. She’s teaching at my old school, and I’m teaching here.
Q: What is it like to start teaching at Bellarmine?
A: It’s awesome. At first, I was a little scared of teaching at an all-boys institution. I didn’t know what to expect. But teaching here has proved to me that none of those stereotypes have been true. You guys are incredibly respectful and kind, I felt very welcomed here. So though I feel like I have to cover a lot of material and have much less time to do so, the rotating schedule keeps everything fresh.
Q: Is there a specific experience that you can point to where you really felt that there was Bellarmine spirit?
A: The first mass that we had was really cool, seeing 1500ish, 1600 young men sitting there and respecting, and listening as best as they could, was really cool. I have chaperoned a football game and the dance on Friday. And just watching everyone interact with each other. Every morning when you guys hear the announcements, and the speaker gets says “Go Bells”, everyone says “Go Bells”, and that’s really cool!
Q: Do you feel like you’re getting involved in the Bellarmine community?
A: Totally! That’s why I’ve been doing the announcements every week because I want to see what events are coming up. Right now, it seems like it’s just football. I know there’s some water polo games, but I want to go to like a couple of those games. I want to see what they’re like. I know that the musical is going to be some time in this fall.
Q: What’s your favorite part of teaching chemistry?
A: I love teaching chemistry because everything in this class relates to the real world. Everything we can touch and see is made of matter just about and so real. It’s easy to get students to buy into the subject. And I know it’s hard subject, as this is a very hard class, but students are really excited about being in this class. I think it answers a lot of questions that they probably have going into about the world.
Q: How do you feel students should pick between Chemistry AP, Honors, or College Prep?
A: So for students, I think there’s a pretty obvious progression there, in terms of like difficulty, amount of material, right. General Chemistry covers less and less rigor than honors, and then that covers less and less, than AP. It’s funny, I’ve taught AP Chemistry and General Chemistry, both as a tutor and as a teacher for more than a decade. It was what I did in college to make some extra money and stuff like that. And I’ve never really taught Honors Chem. But what’s funny is that like I’ve taught AP and General, so I’m doing a lot more planning this year for Honors Chem a lot more thinking about like, what does it mean to be in an Honors Chemistry class? What parts do I want to bring out, and kind of dive into further from General Chemistry, and what parts from AP did not want to include? So yeah, that’s kind of I think, like how I view the different levels of chemistry.
Q: How do you feel like your style, or your personal ability of teaching has grown and evolved to be where it is today?
A: When I first started teaching, it was more of checking off the boxes. When I got my own classroom five years ago, I got my teaching credential and started teaching at the last Charter School, I really wanted to start and see whether I could do and find things valuable in this class that to make people good, scientific thinkers. Being a healthy skeptic or having healthy skepticism, is an important thing for all scientists, and also humans to have. Now, I always try to do a lot of laboratories and experiments to give you more real-world skills.
Q: Are you, so far, involved in any clubs?
A: Even though I told myself I wouldn’t be, I am doing chemistry Olympiad. They are just going to be utilizing my room and I’m going to be going here to help them with some of the chemistry, but it’ll be the same time as some of my other community times.
Q: Over the period of your time here at Bellarmine. Do you feel like you want to get more involved in clubs, or keep the same schedule?
A: This first year is more just like getting used to everything. But my game plan is to definitely to do so. Like, my last school, I was chess club moderator. I was the pre-med club moderator. I always chaperoned Model UN, UC Berkeley, I drove trucks for choir and band. I love getting more involved as my load in the classroom becomes more obvious. Me, I’m still trying to figure out what my classroom looks like. And so once I get that down, I’ll start the transition time.
Q: If there was one thing you would say to the Bellarmine community, what would you say?
A: I thank you for being so kind and continue being kind. That is the biggest message I’ve gotten. I feel very visible, very welcomed. Keep being kind everyone, and go Bells!
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This concludes our interview with Mr. Winter, an amazing new teacher here at Bellarmine. Mr. Winters teaches Chemistry, Chemistry Honors, and Chemistry AP. The Bell Online would like to extend a special welcome to him!