Carole Winter's Service Trip to Kos

Overview: 

As many of you know, Carole Winter, beloved teacher at Crossroads School for almost 28 years, is no longer employed at the school. This resulted from an unfortunate incident in the classroom that has had unintended consequences. We’re not belittling the severity of that event for the parties involved, but, nevertheless, considering that this was a singular lapse in judgment on Carole’s part, we (a group of Carole's former students) strongly believe she still deserves our complete love and support. Therefore, we have created this page to help fundraise for Carole, since with her unemployment she now faces economic challenges.

That Carole is the best teacher we’ve ever had is quite the understatement. That she is the most inspiring, passionate, and trusted teacher doesn’t do her justice either. The fact is, it’s impossible to articulate how many lives she has positively touched and changed over her 28 years of service at Crossroads. Whether in her U.S. History, Ethics and Gender, or Ethics and Technology class, Carole has consistently and tirelessly devoted herself to teaching students how to challenge commonly held stereotypes and preconceived ideas, examine different perspectives, analyze beliefs and actions, the reasons behind them, and how they impact the present.

Don't just take our word for it–scroll down to "Testimonials" to read more accounts from Carole's former students and parents on how much they adore and appreciate her and all that she's done. 


Mission:

The funds raised on this page will enable Carole to obtain housing on the Greek Island Kos in order to participate in refugee work starting at the end of May. In the next coming months, Carole will establish a connection with a nonprofit refugee organization on the island to work with during her trip. Kos is a major destination for the refugees fleeing from Syria in their transition to Europe. These refugees are currently struggling to survive, lacking proper sustenance and shelter as they await a document from Greek police that would allow them to continue on to Europe.

(for more details/information see: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/sep/11/refugee-crisis-kos-europe, http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/sep/05/refugees-and-holidaymakers-in-kos-patrick-kingsley, https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2015/09/greece-refugees-attacked-and-in-hellish-conditions-on-kos)

Carole will welcome anyone–former and current students, friends and family of students, etc.–to come and stay with her if they wish to participate in the refugee work. Funds will also be used to provide necessities for the refugees, i.e. water, food, toiletries, clothing etc… Upon the culmination of her refugee work in Greece at the end of July, Carole hopes to take participants over to Bosnia and Turkey to lead a seminar on political and cultural issues.

This trip to Greece, Bosnia, and Turkey has been Carole’s dream for the last two years; unfortunately, as she is now unemployed, she does not possess the financial wherewithal to transform this humanitarian mission into a reality on her own.

The specifics of the trip will depend upon the amount raised, so more details will be announced as funding comes in. The current goal of $15,000 is a very rough estimate.

We as students feel as though it is our duty to make this dream come true for Carole, as she has dedicated nearly half of her life to bettering ours. These funds will allow her to continue her passion of selflessly helping others, however, this time, transcending the Crossroads community. 

We believe Carole has not finished bestowing her gift upon the world, and we want her to be able to see it through. 

Who We Are:

A group of Carole's former students from the class of '16. 

Testimonials: 

“Carole was the most impactful teacher I've ever had. I felt like she changed the way I looked at the world on an almost weekly basis, and I consider her ethics and technology class the pinnacle of my high school education. Crossroads wouldn't be the same without her.”
-Darren Kahan ’15

“One of the most important women in my life.”
-Ana Mancia ’15

“Three months of being in Carole's class has vastly changed me and my perspective on the world.”
-Talia Lichtenstein ’17

“Carole pushed me to the best of my ability and without her I never would have understood my capabilities as a student and a writer. Every student deserves this level of respect and attention Carole gave to me.”
-Ellie Bendetson ’15

“I could write an essay about how much I love and respect Carole Winter, but I’ll keep it short and sweet: I’m forever indebted to Carole for all that she has taught me. I consider myself extremely lucky to have had the pleasure of learning from Carole–she is by far the most special and unique teacher I’ve ever had.”
-Carina Rosenbach ’16

"If it weren't for Carole Winter–and I had many noteworthy teachers at xrds–I believe I would have been unprepared for college. It was in her class that I learned to write a kickass research paper, to form and express personal opinions on large social issues, and most importantly... to cherish my education. The woman taught me to question everything. "
- Arden Shore ’11

" I feel like anyone who has even met Carole would know that it goes without saying that this woman was the definition of influential. She literally transformes people's’ lives. I met a guy who had her twenty years ago and he told me that she was the most influential person in his life. She has a remarkable talent: the ability to touch so deeply so many people's’ lives, during a time when they are most resistant (teens) in the environment they most resist (school). Her astounding ability to bridge the age gap has made me feel, multiple times, that she is the one person who most understands what I am going through. Not my friends, who are living my exact same life, not my family, who understands my environment therefore perspective better than anyone. No. It is a sixty six year old woman who I have known for a little over a year and who I see for three hours a week. That, to me, is a miracle, a gift, and something worth fighting for."
-Ella Larsen ’16

"Last year, my daughter was in Carole’s American History class; to say that Carole simply taught my daughter American History, however, would be an understatement. Carole taught my daughter to think more deeply, to challenge her preconceived notions and assumptions about almost everything, including people, social norms, American and world politics, history, and herself. Carole is an inspirational and thought-provoking educator, who goes above and beyond in both teaching her students and caring about them."
-Michelle Rosenbach, parent '16