Mrs. Melinda Norris is welcomed to Westwood this year as the new Campus Testing Coordinator. Transitioning from Cedar Ridge High School where she served as a Testing Coordinator, Mrs. Norris also taught dance for 15 years at various middle schools, including Grisham Middle School.

Mrs. Norris has been dancing throughout her whole life and specifically enjoys ballet, modern, tap, jazz, and contemporary. This passion for dance is what led her to becoming a dance teacher, as she wanted to encourage others to love dance.

“It was really the dance side of it that made me want to be a teacher,” Mrs. Norris said. “I just wanted to be a positive role model and help people find joy in dance.” 

Mrs. Norris received her Bachelor’s degree in Dance Education. After being a middle school dance instructor, Mrs. Norris returned to college where she got her Master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Policy, which helped lead her to the position of Campus Testing Coordinator. 

“After I finished my Master’s, I was trying to decide if I wanted to become an Assistant Principal or to go for something else,” Mrs. Norris said. “Then the Testing Coordinator position became available and I knew it would be a great experience. I also actually enjoy the organization of the coordinating side of testing over being an [AP].”

Despite it being her first year as a testing coordinator at Westwood, Mrs. Norris is excited for all that is to come.

“Westwood is a very warm and welcoming environment,” Mrs. Norris said. “I’m looking forward to a great year at Westwood and I am also looking forward to new experiences here.”