Alumni Testimonials
The Education Department welcomes updates and photos from our graduates. If you are an alum and would like to share news with classmates, please email Heather Bergthold.
I want to thank you for all the help you gave me during my 4 years at Westmont. I must say that your credential program has prepared me very well for that which is teaching. The other first year teachers I speak with all say they wish that their program had done more for them. My literacy coach thinks I’ll be a “master teacher” in about 3 years maybe even 2. She thinks you did an awesome job and sends you her thanks. So, thanks. Thanks for everything. I appreciate it more than you know.
Charlene Martinez ‘06
7th & 8th Grade Teacher
New York, NY
Thanks again for a wonderful credential program and all the effort you put into your students. It is much appreciated. There were quite a few brand new teachers at my school last year, and after talking with many of them, I was even more convinced of how great and unique Westmont’s program is.
Mindy Thralls ‘05
5th Grade Teacher
Livermore, CA
I’m thankful every day for the training I got at Westmont! I couldn’t be doing what I’m doing if I was still trying to figure out how to teach a lesson.
Emily (Thompson) Omondi ’04
4th Grade Teacher
Los Angeles, CA
I am consistently impressed with how well you all prepared me to do my job. I talk to other colleagues about their training and it is always so clear to me how superior my training from Westmont was. Thank you for giving me the tools necessary to do my job well and be prepared.
Kristen (Thompson) Mullikin ’03
2nd Grade Teacher
Vacaville, CA
I wanted to say thank you. I have realized how well you have prepared me to teach in a classroom and adapt to situations that I am presented with in teaching. In these last few days I was shocked to discover what many of the other teachers don’t know. It’s even a little sad, and I feel very sorry for them and their students. Thank you very much. . . thanks for such an intensive program; it prepared me for the ‘real’ world of teaching, which never seems to slow down or become predictable.
Becky Rathburn ‘02
Middle School Teacher
Rancho Santa Margarita, CA
Thank you, thank you, thank you—for teaching me what’s important for becoming a teacher! I appreciate your hard work to make this a great program!
Julie (Gillan) Anderson ‘98
5th Grade Teacher
Santa Barbara, CA
Thank you for such a wonderful program! I absolutely love teaching kindergarten. You have truly helped me to be prepared for my teaching experience. Please keep on emphasizing positive reinforcement. It’s the best!
Courtney (Petar) Smith ‘98
Kindergarten Teacher
Santa Ana, CA
While at Westmont, I felt challenged academically, spiritually, and emotionally. Being a Liberal Studies major is unique because you are exposed to courses from all departments. Having this liberal arts background has certainly paid off in the classroom, because kids ask a lot of questions about everything! The teacher credential program at Westmont gave me excellent preparation for my teaching career. I was able to walk into my own classroom and feel confident that I could take any curriculum and develop appropriate and interesting lesson plans to meet the needs of my students. I also benefited from an outstanding master teacher during my semester of student teaching . . . I have taught second grade . . . and have enjoyed it immensely . . . Even though being a teacher is my career, I have come to view it as my own personal ministry.
Teresa (Manthey) Caldwell ’97
2nd Grade Teacher
Elk Grove, CA
To all of you in the education department . . . I just wanted to say thank you so much for everything that all of you put into this credential program. I feel so fortunate to have been part of such an excellent training-I feel very prepared! You were a very encouraging group of people and I thank you so much for an incredible year.
Becca McNees ‘97
1st Grade
Santa Barbara, CA
I was selected as the Educator of the Year at my school! There was a special board meeting where all the principals and administrators of my district honored the Educators of the Year. It was very exciting. I am doing well and keeping busy. Nicole and I teach at the same school and are co-leaders in math reform. . . Just thought I’d say ‘thank you’ again for the great training and support.
Michelle (Dusek) Weersing ‘95
Kindergarten
Oxnard, CA