Cathy Backer grew up in Farmington, MN, a suburb of Minneapolis-St. Paul. She attended Good Shepherd Lutheran in Burnsville for grade school, and graduated St. Croix Lutheran High School in West St. Paul in 2012. After high school, she went on to attend Martin Luther College in New Ulm, MN. During the course of her education, she completed field experiences at Christ the King in Palm Coast, FL, Jefferson Elementary in New Ulm, MN, Fairmont High School in Fairmont, MN, and Emanuel in New London, WI. She graduated from Martin Luther College in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Social Studies. She is licensed in Minnesota to teach grades K-6 general education and Social Studies grades 6-9.

 

Her first teaching assignment was to Apostles Lutheran in San Jose, CA to teach grade 5 and music for grades 3-8. While serving at Apostles, Cathy participated in the praise team, parent-teacher organization, marketing committee, directing the musical, tech support, Live Nativity and other outreach events, directing handbells and junior choir, and playing instruments for services. She taught there until June 2020. She started teaching grades 5 and 6 at Faith Lutheran in August 2020.

 

Cathy has a brother, David, who lives with his wife, Rachel, in Fridley, MN. She also has a sister, Libby, who lives with her husband, Tim, in Richmond, VA. Cathy's parents live in Burnsville, MN. Her mother is enjoying retirement after years as administrative support at St. Croix Lutheran, and her father will be retiring from Target Corporation in October 2020. They are both active members of leadership and the worship team at Good Shepherd in Burnsville.

 

While not in the classroom, Cathy enjoys using her musical gifts for worship, spending time with her former college roommate, Carrie Dorst, and exploring what Lake County has to offer.