Welcome, Emily Harris!
We're proud to announce that Emily Harris will be joining the Lutheran Westland team and filling the role of School Counselor. Emily comes to us from Concordia University Ann Arbor, where she brings recent experience as an Admissions Counselor serving Michigan Lutheran Schools.
Emily is a native of Clinton Township, Michigan and an alumna of Lutheran North (2015). She graduated from Concordia University Ann Arbor in 2019, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Public Relations. Emily is married to Nate Harris, and they call Trinity Lutheran Church in Clinton Township their home congregation.
Please warmly welcome Emily as a Warrior and get to know her through our first Staff Spotlight 20 Questions below.
Staff Spotlight: Emily Harris
20 Questions
Where did you go to high school?
Lutheran North (Macomb, Michigan)
What was your favorite subject in school?
AP Language
When did you know that you wanted to be in the Lutheran high school environment and what led you to pursue that path?
Interestingly enough- my entire education from kindergarten through college took place at a Lutheran school, but I did not go to college with a long-standing plan to work in a Lutheran school environment. I studied Psychology with hopes of being a licensed counselor who could work within a private practice, or eventually with kids who have experienced trauma. I’ve known that the brain and its capabilities are very intriguing to me. I also knew that I wanted to be someone to believe in a person, to listen, and to empathize with him or her. However, as a fresh college graduate, it was challenging to determine how to get there.
I was in awe of God when my alma mater reached out in the midst of my job-search and asked if I would apply to be an admissions counselor. Once more, I was in awe when Mr. Paul Looker reached out and said there was an opening for a guidance counselor position at Lutheran Westland!
There are so many details in between, but in short- it’s been pretty clear to me that God has a plan for me. It completely humbles me to see how he has connected my prayers and skills to a special ministry at Lutheran Westland.
What’s your favorite Bible verse?
2 Corinthians 1:3-5 is a sweet promise!
“4 God comforts us every time we have trouble, so that we can comfort others when they have trouble.”
What are three words to best describe you?
Friendly, sensitive, outgoing
What was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?
Ha! God provided a job for me when I needed to pay for a mission trip in college and it was bizarre- I went into Whole Foods stores and tried to sell a new product, Maple Water (similar to coconut water, but made from a Maple tree).
Do you have a hidden talent? What is it?
Not super hidden, but I love to sing!
If you could choose a superpower, what would it be?
To not run out of money 😊
What’s your favorite food?
Guilty pleasure: Cheddar & Sour Cream Ruffles. Wow.
What’s your least favorite food?
Jicima
What’s your favorite place that you’ve traveled and why?
This is going to sound cheesy, but I’ve been to Haiti, Hawaii, and the Caribbean, but my favorite place in the world was my cottage in Gaylord, Michigan.
The reason being- it was a place where my family would gather, the pressure was off, there was no work, barely any cell service, and we would all feel so rested after a trip Up North.
Where would you like to travel next and why?
With everything going on in our nation, I would like to travel down to the South, to go to museums, and to re-educate myself on some of our history. It would be hard, but worth it.
What’s a fun fact about you many people may not know?
I played lacrosse for the first time in college. I wasn’t even a high school athlete. This experience taught me so much about mindset!
What’s one hobby you’d like to get into?
My fiancé and I like to talk about how cool it would be to build a tiny home. Maybe our woodshop students can join in on the fun?
What’s your favorite sport to watch and which team do you root for?
Basketball and baseball in person, but football on TV with Dad. I do not have a single loyalty.
Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Night owl
Are you a dog person or a cat person (neither or both)?
Cat
What’s one of your favorite memories from the past year?
This past year, I walked around wondering how my boyfriend of 3 years would propose to me. Despite my suspicion and theories, he totally surprised me when he proposed Up North with our friends!
What’s the best advice you were ever given? Who was it from?
My nana survived a lot in life and coined the phrase, “Do the day.”
While we can plan for the future, it always seems to work out a little differently than our expectation. This phrase reminds you to be present and gives you the grace to do your best with what’s in front of you. I also find that it can help soothe anxiety because you’re forced to come back to reality.
Is there any advice you’d offer to current and future Lutheran Westland students?
The first thing that came to mind: Build your character in high school. What you are doing now impacts your future self and others- this could be in a negative or positive way.
It is hard to do. High school feels like an eternal stage of life, when it is actually a building block for so much more after it! Practically speaking- reflect on your habits, friendships, beliefs, faith practices, academics, social media, and family time to see if there is anything you need to take away, or to add to. Be encouraged that God designed you, has plans to prosper you, and gives you guidelines for life throughout the Bible.