Westview Waves Goodbye to Ms. Donna

by: Penelope Khuri

Ms. Donna Retires

In a year of tremendous change, perhaps The Westview School’s most significant one occurred when Head of School, Donna Marshall, retired at the end of the 2019-2020 school year.

On May 18, 2020, well into the COVID-19 quarantine, The Westview School honored Donna with a surprise car parade of students and teachers. What began as a simple “end-of-year belongings pick up” morphed into a surprise party for Ms. Donna. Back-to-back parades at the 1900 and 1830 buildings allowed each family an opportunity to show their love and appreciation for Ms. Donna. The students could also cross the street to see the cars lined up with teachers and say good-bye for the summer. Following the family car parade, Donna crossed the street herself to see all the teachers, who also wished her a fond farewell.

Donna Marshall came to Westview after hearing about the school from another mother. In 1991, she met Westview founder, Jane Stewart, who offered to let Donna’s son Jacob attend for free if Donna would teach. This was a typical start for most teachers in Westview’s early days. Jacob stayed less than a year before moving on to kindergarten, but Donna remained. Oralia Burks, teacher assistant, and a friend worked as Donna’s teaching assistant for close to eight years. “[Donna] was a great teacher. I had no teaching experience, but she taught me so much. She didn’t have to spell everything out; we just “got each

other.” Oralia recalls Friday field trips where she and Donna would load the kindergarten class into Donna’s Suburban and take them on field trips. “She was terrific at keeping the kids on task, and she just loved the children,” said Oralia. “Donna always brought her best self to school each day, which was an inspiration to me.”

“Nurturing the children, helping them learn that they are capable and ‘can do it’, was most important to me.” said Donna. “Equipping the school and enriching the children’s lives was the ultimate goal. I also believe in nurturing the teachers and staff, encouraging and helping them understand just how important their job is.”

Donna Marshall, shown below with Jane Stewart and their Kindergarten class of 1992. Miss Donna taught Kindergarten for 16 years before becoming a Westview administrator.

THANK YOU Ms. Donna for 30 Years of Service

In August of 2007, Donna was promoted to Assistant Head of School. According to her longtime friend and colleague, Beth Bogaert, Kindergarten teacher said, “Teaching alongside Donna was a gift. I started teaching Kindergarten at Westview in 2001. Donna taught me everything I know about how to be a teacher with patience, kindness, and understanding. She was a mentor that became a friend throughout the years.” Beth recalls the day when Donna got the ask to be Assistant Head of School at Westview. “She wanted to know what I thought,” said Beth, “Well, my first thought was ‘Don’t leave me! What am I going to do without you?’ But it was a great opportunity for her, and I knew she would be great at it.”

Following her mother’s footsteps, Donna’s daughter, Elissa Green, is now a Pre-Kindergarten teacher at The Westview School. When asked what it was like to have her mother as her boss, Elissa mused, “It was such a wonderful experience. I got to see my mom every day. I also was able to watch her grow Westview into a wonderful, loving place for staff, children, and their families, just like Ms. Jane always wanted.” When The Westview School founder Jane Stewart became ill, Donna took over as Head of School in August 2010. She served faithfully, carrying on the traditions of Westview for ten years. Donna Marshall shared her proudest accomplishment at The Westview School, “Keeping Jane’s vision of Westview alive is something I am most proud of.” said Donna. “I was able to hire outstanding people who loved their job and gave our students what they needed to succeed.”

“I was lucky enough to grow up in the Westview family,” said Elissa Green. “My mom and Westview showed me what a joy teaching could bring, and 13 years later, I feel so lucky.”

Donna served The Westview School students, families, and faculty of Westview with love, kindness, and patience for nearly 30 years. The Westview School will miss Donna and honor her legacy.