NAME:
Ms. Westcott
SCHOOL:
Messiah Lutheran School
CLASS:
7th grade homeroom/Social Studies
SCHOOL PHONE:
440 - 331 - 6553 ex. 273
Ms. Westcott was born and raised in Watertown, Wisconsin. As everyone should
know, Wisconsin is truly "God's country." She attended St. John Lutheran
Church and School through eighth grade. By her seventh grade year, Ms.
Westcott knew that she wanted to be a Lutheran teacher. Ms. Westcott went to
Watertown High School through the Fall of her senior year. At that time, her
father accepted a job in St. Louis, Missouri and the family moved to the home
of the Gateway Arch. She finished her senior year at Grover Cleveland High
School. Ms. Westcott was eager to attend college that Fall. She spent two
years at St. John Luth. College in Winfield, Kansas and then transferred to
Concordia Teachers College in River Forest, Illinois. She majored in History
and minored in Political Science. Ms. Westcott loved living in the Chicago
area during her last two years of college and spent most of her weekends
taking the "EL" downtown, browsing the galleries of the Chicago Institute of
Art, and shopping on Michigan Avenue.
Upon graduation, she received a call to teach at Faith Luth. School in
Harahan, Louisiana, a suburb of New Orleans. Living in the "Big Easy", was
one of the most exciting experiences of her life. Her next teaching call was
to Concord Luth. School in Pagedale, Missouri, a suburb of St. Louis. Ms.
Westcott taught there for eight years and enjoyed working in a multi-cultural
school setting. Finally, she received a call to Messiah Luth. Church and
School and taught fifth grade for 18 years. Seven years ago, Ms. Westcott
moved to the 7th grade position. She has never regretted that move and finds
teaching 7th graders stimulating and gratifying!
Ms. Westcott has served Messiah Church in many capacities. She was Director
of Music for 11 years. She has taught the Crossways Bible Study program
several times and is currently teaching that class to a new group of Messiah
members. Her committee work has included social outreach, the call
committee for a pastor,the building program for the Middle School, and the
interview team for hiring a new eighth grade teacher. Ms. Westcott
continues to serve as an Assisting Minister, Communion Assistant, and Lector
in Sunday morning worship. She is also teaching a portion of the Sunday
morning Confirmation program.
I believe the goal of education is to assist children in learning about
themselves, learning about the world in which they live, and learning how to
contribute to that world in a positive way. Expanding knowledge and improving
skills are important. However, students must also be encouraged to learn and
practice the life skills of organization, follow-through, kindness, integrity,
and responsibility. These social skills will help to shape the child into an
adult who will be an asset to their family, their workplace, and their country.
I believe the goal of Christian education is to assist parents in the faith
formation of their children. My role as a Christian educator is to lead,
guide, and direct the child into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. I
am granted the privilege of instructing the child in Biblical knowledge,
teaching the holy catholic faith, witnessing to the power of God in my own
life, and guiding the child in learning about life lived in praise of and
service to our heavenly Father.