Faculty Highlight: Christina Winters

By Christina Winters

My Quest to Make Students Fall in Love With Chemistry!

CHEM100-01, CHEM112-01, CHEM212L-CS

Photo by J. Jeffreys (Professor Christina Winters)

I was introduced to the Periodic Table in 6th grade by my science teacher, Mr.  Miller, and have been fascinated by the Periodic Table of Elements ever since. It fascinates me that every substance we encounter is composed of invisible atom combinations. 

In essence, I hope my classes help students see the world through the lens of chemistry, with examples relevant to their fields and daily lives. I challenge my students to think critically, while providing support as they do so. Currently, I am teaching Introductory Chemistry Lecture and Lab, College Chemistry II Lecture and Lab, as well as Organic Chemistry II Lecture and Lab. 

I commenced my college education at SCCC, where I received an AA in Liberal Arts. I then transferred to Montclair State University, obtaining a BS and subsequently an MS in Chemistry. After working as an analytical chemist in the pharmaceutical industry and with natural and synthetic petroleum products, I decided to pursue a career in the field of chemistry education. I then completed the Alternate Route to Teaching Certification courses at SCCC which were offered through New Jersey City University, later applying those credits towards an MA in Educational Technology at New Jersey City University.  

I taught high school chemistry in Sussex County for 15 years, then accepted the full-time position as lead faculty for the chemistry department at SCCC. I was also an adjunct in the chemistry department, teaching chemistry courses at night for 9 of those years, and occasionally worked in a lab during the summer.

Photo by J. Jeffreys

If the weather is good and I am not in the classroom, you can find me outside. When I am not on campus, I enjoy spending time with my sons and also outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, and running. I thoroughly enjoy learning new things and exploring the world around me wherever I can find it, either outdoors, in a book, a museum, a restaurant, or even a painting class.

Recently, a student asked me what I enjoy about teaching chemistry. I responded first that I want to talk about chemistry all day, every day to anyone who will listen, and he laughed. Second, I want to provide my students at every level of chemistry with not only the knowledge they need for the next step in their education or career, but also to inspire them to be curious about the chemical reactions that happen in and around them each and every single day.