Congratulations, Mrs. Westbrook!

Congratulations, Mrs. Westbrook!

Photo by Nichelle Lawrence

Cherri Westbrook is in her sixth year as a kindergarten teacher at West Boulevard Elementary School. She holds a B.S. in early childhood education from Stephens College and an M.A. from William Woods in curriculum and instruction. Before joining West’s faculty, Westbrook had 18 years experience in early childhood education: She taught at Stephens in a multi-age elementary classroom, and before that she founded End of the Rainbow childhood development center in Columbia. She and her husband have two grown children. Westbrook enjoys country life, her garden and her dog named Girl. Westbrook was diagnosed with breast cancer in June 2008. She agreed to talk about it as part of this Teacher Feature.

Cherri Westbrook’s story began years ago when lumps appeared when she was younger. At 35, the first “big” tumor was removed from her breast. It was not cancerous but “suspicious.” Her sister never had any problems with her breasts but was diagnosed at 48 with breast cancer. Three months later, she died due to a pulmonary embolism, a complication from treatment. Westbrook’s aunt also died of breast cancer. Because of her family history, Westbrook was prescribed Tamoxicin, an anti-cancer drug, for five years.

She remained cancer-free until she detected a lump the week after her 48th birthday. Her surgeon recommended an immediate double mastectomy and chemotherapy treatments. As a result, Westbrook missed the first three weeks of school last year, which she said was the “hardest thing in the entire world to do.” Her last chemotherapy treatment was in December 2008. Her kindergarten class was “very much a part of it,” offering her hand sanitizer and checking the progress of her hair growth. “I needed to continue to live normally,” Westbrook said. “I didn’t want to think about my cancer, my chemo, my next treatment. … I wanted to be singing and dancing and teaching kids how to read.” Sometimes, she was so tired she would be snoring as her husband drove her home from school.

Westbrook has no signs of active cancer now. She is grateful for the support of her extended families. “I couldn’t have done it without the kids, my husband and the West Boulevard staff,” she said. “The support I received from my two sons while they were still grieving the death of their aunt, and the support from my niece and nephew who were still grieving the loss of their mom … their support along with that of my husband, Jeff, was absolutely, undeniably amazing!  They just took care of everything for me. Cancer is just a part of my story. I’m no different than any other woman who has had breast cancer. Many educators — many women — in Columbia have had it, and I am honored to represent these women.”

Adria Waters, who was Westbrook’s instructional aide and is now a second-grade teacher at West, had this to say: “Cherri is unequivocally the most caring person I have ever met. She makes time for everyone — students, teachers, parents, family, friends and fellow teachers — and does so with grace and sincerity. No matter what her struggles this past year, she has always stayed positive and appreciative of the blessings in her life. Cherri has not only taught me about becoming the type of teacher I want to be but also about the friend I hope to become.”

Mrs. Westbrook received a $100 gift certificate from Ann’s Teacher Store, flowers from Kent’s Floral Gallery, a $100 savings bond from UMB Bank and a $50 gift certificate to The Pasta Factory.

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