Born to Teach
Halle Winkler ’19
While learning to thrive more than 2,000 miles from home during her first year at Dickinson, Oregon native Halle Winkler '19 also took some children under her wing as a volunteer for Big Brothers Big Sisters and by helping out at the campus daycare center. Below, she discusses her lifelong love of mentoring and teaching, her passion for travel and music and the person who inspired her to stay open and positive in the face of challenges.
Major:
Psychology (educational studies minor).
Clubs and organizations:
Big Brothers Big Sisters and Dickinson Children’s Center (2- and 3-year-old group). I plan to become involved with the Outing Club and Dickinsonian this fall.
Favorite book:
The Giver, by Lois Lowry.
Favorite movie:
Dan in Real Life.
On choosing a major:
My dad is a psychologist and my mom is a teacher, so what I want to do kind of combines their occupations. I’ve always had a love for children, but I also love the idea of being a psychologist, so I’m hoping to combine the two, perhaps through child psychology.
As a kid, I wanted to be …
… a mom. When my little brother was born (I was 3 at the time) I referred to him as “my baby,” and I was convinced he was just as much my child as he was my parents’. When I got a bit older, I wanted to be a teacher.
On choosing Dickinson:
I’m from Oregon, and I really wanted a totally new experience. Most of my friends are going to the University of Oregon, but I was looking for something smaller and further from home. I love the east coast, and Dickinson felt like the perfect fit.
Halle Winkler '19 (right) helps her mom, Tawni. Halle also lends a hand
at Dickinson's Children's Center.
Favorite place on campus:
The Children’s Center.
Favorite Dining Hall food:
Omelets.
Most important thing I’ve learned so far:
That I am capable of making it in a place so far from home. Last year had been a huge change for me, and I'm really proud that I’ve been able to be happy and successful.
Little-known hobbies:
I love to cook, hang out with kids and be outside; I’m also really, really good at memorizing song lyrics.
In a perfect world …
… I would be able to travel all over the world at the drop of a hat.
Biggest influence:
My mom. She is so amazingly positive, and she is the best mom that I could ever ask for. I strive to maintain her positive outlook on life, and be as open as her every day.
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Published September 7, 2016