Getting to know you...
After growing up in Grafton, Wisconsin, Mrs. Backhaus attended Carroll College (Waukesha), where she majored in English and minored in Secondary Education. Among her many activities during college, she participated in the Junior Year Abroad program, where she attended the University of Nottingham-England and traveled extensively throughout Europe. Studying overseas ignited her love of multicultural experiences and travel, which she incorporates into her classroom. To date, Ms. Backhaus has traveled to thirteen countries, including a mission trip to Belize, which fostered her passion to convey the importance of serving one another and understanding the economic disparity in the world and in our own community. Besides her love of travel, her interests include reading literature, visiting local bookstores, watching baseball, and spending time with her husband and son.
In addition to her English certification, Ms. Backhaus obtained her Reading Teacher license through her graduate studies at Cardinal Stritch University. During her nineteen years at Waterford, she has taught many classes, including Reading Applications, English 9, English 10, Composition, American Literature, English Literature, Multicultural Literature, and honors level classes. She has also advised the yearbook/ newspaper, coached the forensics team, and worked at many athletic events. Seeing the world through young people’s eyes as the light bulb sparks brings her profound joy. As Oscar Romero once said, “we plant seeds that grow….We may never see the end result.” Ms. Backhaus’ hope is that through her classroom, students will be equipped with the reading, writing, and thinking skills to be positive contributors to the world.
In addition to her English certification, Ms. Backhaus obtained her Reading Teacher license through her graduate studies at Cardinal Stritch University. During her nineteen years at Waterford, she has taught many classes, including Reading Applications, English 9, English 10, Composition, American Literature, English Literature, Multicultural Literature, and honors level classes. She has also advised the yearbook/ newspaper, coached the forensics team, and worked at many athletic events. Seeing the world through young people’s eyes as the light bulb sparks brings her profound joy. As Oscar Romero once said, “we plant seeds that grow….We may never see the end result.” Ms. Backhaus’ hope is that through her classroom, students will be equipped with the reading, writing, and thinking skills to be positive contributors to the world.