Meet the DHS teacher of the month, Mr. Welter! From a young boy who had dreams of being an Air Force fighter pilot to becoming a high school chemistry teacher, Daniel Welter has become a safe space for many, offering up his classroom at lunch and before the late bell in the morning as a place to express yourself fully in a judgment free zone.
After 27 years of teaching, he said his most improved area is his patience level. “Students have really taught me to be more patient,” Welter stated. When asked about his favorite memory from teaching, he said he doesn’t have just one but many favorites, “My absolute favorite part of teaching is seeing the metaphorical ‘lightbulb’ go off in their heads. It makes me feel like a good teacher.” Welter currently teaches AP Chemistry, Honors Chemistry, and Honors Physics. He loves all his classes equally. Even when he is playing around with his students and trading “no offense” jokes, he wants all of them to know he cares about them and genuinely does want the best for them.
Many students who were in his Honors Chemistry class last year say he was their favorite teacher. Grace Salgado (11) said her favorite memories with Welter are from the mornings when he does his
stretching. “It really is funny seeing
him trying the poms routines with us,” Sasha Karp (11) added. Caleigh Hoffman (11) claimed, “Honestly, he’s just so real. He gets involved in our conversations and adds funny remarks.” This is corroborated by Salgado, using the term “sassitude” to describe his funny remarks about all of their conversations. One of these girls’ favorite memories with Welter are some they will never forget, such as Hoffman’s. “Last year my friends and I brought him cupcakes on his birthday. He shares a birthday with one of our friends, Sarah Zalewski (11). It was his 50th and we wanted to celebrate him as a thank you.”
After talking with many students, Welter is adored by many due to his humor and insight on conversations. Next time you pass by his classroom make sure you ask him about the M&M’s in his drawer!
