Heidi (Krauss ’19) Westendorp

Social Work

Biography

I graduated from Taylor in 2019. I am currently living in Nashville, Michigan, with my husband, Eric, of 2.5 years and our newborn son, Liam. After graduating from Taylor, I accepted a job (from my senior practicum) as a refugee foster care case manager at Bethany Christian Services in Kalamazoo, MI. I loved working with refugees and only left this position after 1.5 years due to getting married and moving. Following this, I went back to school to get my Master’s in Social Work at Western Michigan University. I was accepted into the 10-month advanced standing program and had an internship in school social work through my county’s intermediate school district. This internship gave me working experience with grades K-12 in special education. I graduated with my MSW in May 2021 and, upon graduating, accepted a position as an elementary general education school social worker at Maple Valley Schools. I currently hold that position but am on maternity leave after the birth of our first baby!

What were some of your most valuable experiences at Taylor?

Some of my most valuable experiences at Taylor were the J-term trips. Over the four years I was at Taylor I traveled to Israel, Uganda, Rwanda, the Bahamas, and took a spring break trip to Daytona Beach. These trips gave me valuable learning experiences I never imagined having, deepened my faith, and provided amazing friendships. Another valuable experience was my time as a PA on 3rd Berg during my sophomore year. Although it was a very challenging job, I learned a lot about myself and others through it.

How did your classes or interactions with professors at Taylor impact your growth?

I can’t think of a professor who wasn’t kind and intentional toward me during my time at Taylor. The way they set up classes and made themselves available to students encouraged me to learn more. The social work professors specifically were like family to me. Since the department was smaller, we were able to spend lots of time with them. I felt comfortable talking to my social work professors about things in both my professional and personal life. They were an incredible part of my time at Taylor.

How can Taylor graduates use their unique Taylor education and its liberal arts foundational core as an asset in your discipline?

I appreciated the liberal arts foundation. I often found that what I was learning in my general education classes related to things I was also learning in my major classes. I especially loved being able to take more Bible and psychology classes, as they helped me to integrate both into my profession as a social worker.

What advice or encouragement could you provide for Taylor students in your vocational discipline?

Even though social work is a difficult profession, it is rewarding. Not many people get to say they are the hands and feet of Jesus in their professions like we can. Keep learning from the people you work with and for. Keep an open mind & heart, seeking out the best in people. Most importantly, keep Jesus at the center of who you are because He is the only one who can provide the rest necessary to work in the field of social work. Before you leave Taylor, take advantage of J-term trips, get to know your amazing professors, intentionally deepen relationships with the friends you are closest to, and take extra classes in other disciplines (even more than the required ones). You are only in college for a short time and I guarantee you will miss Taylor when you leave, so soak up all the time you have there!