Introducing Mrs. Willertz!

Photo by: Jelina Murad

Jelina Murad ’21

Staff Writer

As many of you know, we have gained a new member to the Nouvel staff, Mrs. Willertz! She replaced Mrs. Yats and teaches Biology and Anatomy. I have her as a teacher for anatomy and she lights up the room with her personality and passion for teaching.

What do you like about Nouvel so far? I love the people!  Our students have been so welcoming and friendly!  Even though I’m up on the third floor most of the day, several staff members have made a point of coming up to say hello or welcome me.  I couldn’t have made it through these first weeks of a new school year without Mrs. Sova, Mrs. Adelman, Mrs. Foy, Mr. Sprague, Mrs. Van Sumeren, Ms. Nikol, Mr. Decuf, and Mr. Bradtke.  They went out of their way to help me (multiple times!) and answered all my questions.  

What’s your favorite thing to do during your free time?  I love hanging out with my family (playing games, joking around, playing outside), being out in nature, cycling, reading, watching movies, and laughing.

How long have you been teaching for? I started teaching in 1996.  I took four years off to start and run a business, so I’ve been teaching for 20 years total.  

What’s your favorite thing about teaching? The students!  Teaching is the best job in the world.  You get paid to teach some of the most creative and interesting people on the planet (teenagers)!  I learn a great deal from my students and I really enjoy sharing how nature and the human body work.  God’s creations are awe-inspiring!

Where are you from? I was born in Saugatuck, Michigan (the West side of the state).  My husband and I moved to Cincinnati in 1992 and lived there until 2018 when we decided to move “home” (my husband is from Bay City).  

What college did you attend? Several!  I started at Hope College, then Lake Michigan College.  I finished up my Bachelor’s in the Cincinnati area at Northern Kentucky University.  I earned my Master’s degree from Indiana Wesleyan University.  I guess you could say that I like school

Rate your love for Jesus on a scale from 1-10. 11.  Definitely!

If you could travel to any place in the world for a week, where would you go? New Zealand!  I’ve been to several countries (Spain, France, Portugal, Costa Rica, Mexico, Italy, Holland, Canada, British Virgin Islands, Bahamas) but I’ve always wanted to visit where “Lord of the Rings” was filmed.  It looks beautiful!  

Who do you consider your role model? One of my best friends, Janet Lees, is someone from whom I’ve learned a great deal.  I’ve also had several students who have taught me more about how to be a Christian than any other source (Dylan, Cole, George, Ian, and others particularly).  My husband, Chris, has taught me how to be “gritty” and work hard.  Several Saints have inspired me (Therese, Mary Magdalene, Saint Peter) to be a “sinner on a journey toward Sainthood.”  

What’s your proudest accomplishment? That’s a tough one.  Raising awesome, successful, happy, intelligent, caring kids is certainly one.  Creating a joyful marriage (choosing to love when it isn’t “easy”) is another.  Having a relationship with God (with whom you can’t really sit down and have a “face to face” conversation) is probably the most fulfilling.  That relationship makes all the others possible.  He helps me accomplish everything; without Him, I am nothing…