Her Story
About Julie
Julie Wess is a teacher in Pittsfield, Maine, who began her teaching career in January 2002 after earning her bachelor's degree in December 2001. She primarily teaches Algebra II and has a pre-calculus class, building on content that connects across lessons to help students succeed. Wess has experience teaching in middle school and at Winslow High School from 2004 to 2008, where she gained confidence in teaching new subjects like geometry. She is a member of the Mathematical Association of America and spoke at MathFest in Boston about a project she started in 2002 involving student research on mathematicians. Wess values honesty and communication in her classroom and advises being persistent, open-minded, and standing up for students as their advocates.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Julie
01What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
I've learned that you can find a better fit sometimes somewhere else. This may not be the job for you, this place may not be the place you want to teach, but there will be something better. Don't give up.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Be persistent. Be open-minded. Don't be afraid to try things. And stand up for students. At the end of the day, our students need us to be their advocates.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Challenges include shifts in society affecting how students arrive in high school and how families consider the importance of education. Opportunities include watching students have aha moments every day, seeing their confidence grow when they figure things out.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Honesty is a huge value. If you didn't do your homework, be honest and communicate with me. Honesty and communication are a big part of what I expect of students. I want them to be able to explain things.
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