Ms. V would be my lantern in the dark. She was my medicine when was depressed. She was like my mom. She encouraged me on my beliefs. She would always be torturing me. Rest in peace, our hero.

I remember in fourth grade I was struggling with all my work.She knew that it was a little hard for me to adjust to everything. Then one day I was in mudd and she told me that she could find a way to help me. She gave me a tutor and ideas how to stay on track. Almost every other day she asked how things were going. Ms. V was always there for me when things got tough. I will miss her so much. She was the greatest. Also, my whole class and teachers loved her sign that said. 

                                     " Let's eat grandpa.
                                         Let's eat, grandpa.
                                    Commas save lives."

Ms. V was always there for me. She was the most patient person I ha e ever met. When I had to turn in my course registration for high school I couldn't decide which classes would be best to take and she helped me and was so patient even when I missed the deadline by two weeks. She also, though it wasn't her job, helped me arrange my extra time accommodations with all of my teachers and taught me to speak up for myself and the things that I needed. She has meant so much to my friends, my family, and I. I hope that she knows how important she was to all of our lives and I wish I could thank her for everything she has done for me.

Even if you didn't go in to chat with Ms. V, you always knew she was there. Just knowing her warm presence filled her office every day without fail made each day at school just a little bit better. I will always remember how she went to such lengths to make sure we all knew her door was open. Last year, when I was just a little too disruptive in class, she wanted to talk to me about it. She didn't act at all like I was in trouble. She instructed my study hall teacher to send me to her office for a flash drive. Yes, the whole thing was staged, so I didn't feel bad, and I wasn't in the spotlight. When I set foot in her office, she smiled and invited me to sit down. I never felt like I was in trouble. She made sure that every day, everyone knew they belonged at Westridge; everyone knew they were loved. There was never a bad day at Westridge because if it started bad, Ms. V was always there to make it end well. She will always hold a special place close to my heart. 

The smile of Ms. V welcomed all to Westridge with love.  Thank you, you’re a blessing.
Love,
Isabella and the Hart Family

Near the beginning of eighth grade I had to give a math lesson to my class by myself. I messed up terribly and ended up feeling really disappointed in myself. I went outside after I gave the presentation/lesson crying. Ms. V heard me crying and came outside of her office to make me feel better. She was crying while telling me that it will be okay. Ms. V was one of the nicest and the most caring person on Westridge campus.

She was always there to lend a helping hand. If I was having trouble with math she was the first person I’d go to. She helped me whenever I had a problem. Mrs. V switched me over to chorus when I broke my finger and gave me a candy and said “you can always stop in to talk or just to have some candy” we love you and miss you.

Ms. Van Z was one of the best teachers I've ever had and I think of her often.  She was such a bright spot and an amazing, passionate teacher.  I don't think her lessons were wasted on any of us and she will be missed.

What a tragic shock to our community and further.  She was such a patient and understanding person and I always felt comfortable around her.  Boundless love and respect flow through our heavy hearts as we mourn the loss of an extraordinary person.  She changed my life immensely and impacted so many more with her kind smile and radiating positivity.  She had faith and believed in me when I couldn't.  I am so grateful for all her unconditional support during these years.  Rest in peace.

When I was really struggling with math Mrs. V was there to help me and explain everything. I went from basically failing to getting a B. Mrs. V was so sweet and kind to me and encouraged me to work harder. She was always hold a special place in my heart

Ms. V was one of the first teachers I ever had that encouraged me to keep writing. It was in her class that I really developed a love and appreciation for language and storytelling, something that has stayed with me as I pursue a career in the Humanities. Not only did she teach me the nuts and bolts of English grammar (because of her, I will always know the difference between nauseous and nauseated), she also taught me to be kind. I remember at the end of 8th grade that she had all of us write one nice thing about each of our classmates, which she compiled into "nice lists" for each of us to take home and read over whenever we needed a boost. Not only was having my own nice list a reminder of my self-worth, the exercise of coming up with kind words for every classmate, even ones I didn't know very well, was instrumental in teaching me how to be a better person and how to see the good in everyone. Ms. V brought so much kindness and sincerity to her teaching, and I know that her legacy will not be a small one.

Ms. V was always there to lend a hand or help me and my peers with any problems. My spanish class and I often had difficulty communicating with our spanish teacher and she helped us find a middle ground where everyone was happy. She was always there for me if I needed to talk to someone. She was always encouraging and a friendly and reassuring face to see at school every morning. She will be missed by everyone and she will hold a place in all of our hearts.