For 38 years overall, and 30 years at North Penn, Ms. Linda Westerlund has been all business. But after February 4th, she will instead be in the business of retirement. 

Westerlund’s path to her career in the halls of North Penn was a little less than direct, but since landing here in the mid 90s she has certainly been a key part of the fabric of North Penn life. 

“I moved to Lansdale with my family in 1994 and was hired by North Penn that summer.  I have been a teacher at the high school since then. I was a legal assistant for 6 years in several different law firms. I also ran a daycare center out of my home for 2 years,” Westerlund explained. 

When Westerlund retires, she plans to travel in and out of the US with her boyfriend and wants to also visit her family in Tennessee. 

“There are places in the United States and out of the United States that we would like to see. I would like to be able to visit my family in Tennessee more. I hope to spend more time with my two sons; and, hopefully, I will have grandkids one day,” Westerlund said.

This can be one of the hardest decisions a teacher can make, but after 30 years, Westerlund has come to the conclusion she will retire on February 4th. Although she will retire from full time teaching, she plans to substitute whenever she can. 

“This was absolutely the hardest decision I have ever made. I really thought I would teach until I was 90. But, I am getting older and there are things I would like to do while I still can. I also know that I will miss North Penn dearly so I plan to sub as many days as I can,” Westerlund expressed.

But teaching wasn’t always the plan for Westerlund. Her mother originally wanted her to go into business. Westerlund took business classes in high school and her father was in retail. She had been intrigued by the business world, but eventually, she knew teaching was the profession for her. 

“I majored in Business in college. Then, after I graduated from college, I realized that I really, really wanted to be a teacher. I then went back to college to get certified to teach business. I always wanted to be a teacher. When I was a little girl, I would line up my dolls and stuffed animals and would have “class” and would “teach” them. I have always loved being around children and young adults,” Westerlund said.

It is clear to see Westerlund is crazy about the business world, so much so that she is currently president of PA FBLA. Future Business Leaders of America is another way Westerlund can combine her love of teaching and business. She and her students have traveled to multiple states and have competed at national conferences.“FBLA has been amazing!  I have enjoyed working with so many students in so many different ways.  Many, many students were able to compete at the region, state, and national level.  I was so lucky to have been able to travel with students to the national conference in many states – California, Texas, Florida, Tennessee, Illinois, Maryland, Georgia, to name a few, “ Westerlund explained. 

Through her time as FBLA adviser, many North Penn students have also excelled in state and national FBLA leadership positions. 

“Several students served as State Officers for PA FBLA, which put us on the Executive Committee and allowed me to work more closely with numerous students and advisers from across the State.  I have also served on the Board of Directors for PA FBLA and am currently the Board President.  I have made many really close friendships through PA FBLA,” Westerlund said.

It’s not difficult to figure out that Westerlund is retiring feeling fulfilled and blessed to have had these years at North Penn.  

“It has been amazing and working with students both in the classroom and through FBLA has been an honor and a privilege. I know how lucky I have been to get to work with students on a daily basis. To see FBLA students succeed at things they are interested in was so rewarding for me. Spending my days in my classroom with all of my students has been awesome. I truly love each and every student that I have had the opportunity to work with. Being able to teach students about something they are interested in has been rewarding as well. I have had the privilege of working with students for several years – in more than one of my classes, as well as in FBLA. I can honestly say that I have never ever felt like I was working and I enjoy every minute with my students,” Westerlund reflected.