Emma Roberts learned early on about some powerful insights when working with little children that transcend reading, writing, and math.
“Something that has stuck with me through the years has been understanding how important it is to support children’s ideas, beliefs, and stories,” Roberts said. “When students don’t have the support they need, they don’t believe in themselves and struggle with their confidence, which will affect them down the road.”
She came to learn those insightful statements from her teachers in the Future Educator Academy, a Char-Em ISD Career and Technical Education course she took during her senior year at Pellston High School. Interested in pursuing a career in education after graduation in June 2023, her high school counselor encouraged her to enroll in the FEA, and it cemented her belief in her path and her joy in working with the littlest of learners.
“I enjoy their free spirits the most! The kids are so fun and always have a good time,” she explained. “It is so fun to see how they think about things as well as how they want to solve problems. It is very eye-opening as a caregiver to see that not everything is a serious matter, and it’s important to have fun no matter what.”
Roberts was recently celebrated by Char-Em ISD at a “Career Tech to Careers” signing event at Bear Cub Child Care Center in Pellston, where she works throughout the year, particularly over school breaks and in the summer. She is also a full-time student; she completed her associate’s degree from North Central Michigan College, and now is working toward her Bachelor of Science in Teacher Education through LSSU, with completion slated for 2027.
Career Tech to Careers events were established by Char-Em’s Career and Technical Education Department to recognize high school students who pursue careers after graduation based in part on their enrollment in career tech classes in high school.
Students in the Future Educator Academy meet several times a year as a full group at Boyne City High School, the program’s hosting district. After being introduced to the program, students are placed in classrooms in their home district, typically in grade levels where they have interest. There, they learn alongside teachers and get hands-on, real-world experience about what it is like to be a teacher.
For Roberts, being placed in the Pellston kindergarten classroom of Kiara Fyke sealed the deal.
“I loved being in the kindergarten classroom; it was so fun to see how the students grow throughout the year. Lots of the kids weren’t reading much or counting higher than 50, but by the end of the year, lots of them were counting more and reading higher-level books,” she recalled. “I was also very fortunate to have been able to create lessons and activities to complete with the kindergarteners.”
Prior to graduation, she heard about a job opening in September 2022 at Bear Cub, where she herself went as a baby and until she entered kindergarten. She contacted owner Christy Cameron to inquire about working during the school year.
“I have known Christy my whole life, from attending Bear Cub and from going to school with one of her sons. She and I talked it over, and we figured it would be a good fit for me,” she said.
During her senior year, she worked before and after school and also in the summer. The center serves children from 3 months to 11 years old and while it is located in Pellston, Cameron said families come from many surrounding communities. For children who need after-school care, Pellston Schools provides bussing that picks up and drops off students at Bear Cub; however, it operates independently from the school district.
Now 20 years old, Roberts is the lead preschool caregiver when she on site, between juggling college school work. Depending on the schedule, she typically works from around 7 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.
“A regular day at Bear Cub includes a lot of playing, getting meals prepared, setting up nap time, small group and large group activities, and helping kids throughout the day,” she described.
Cameron said Roberts has been a perfect fit for her center.
“Emma has many strengths that shine here when working with children. She has the ability and knowledge to work either upstairs with the infants/toddlers, or downstairs with preschool/school-age children,” Cameron said. “Daily needs and activities are always met and she interacts with all ages very well. Having to work in two different classrooms means working with different employees. Emma always has a positive attitude and accommodates to the classroom she is in without hesitation.”
Cameron also touted the preparation Roberts received during the Future Educator Academy.
“I believe the Future Educator Academy supported the development of her skills. She began the FEA at the same time she started working at Bear Cub, which allowed her to immediately share and apply her new knowledge at Bear Cub,” said Cameron. “Through the Future Educator Academy, she gained insight into working with children of all ages, learned strategies for building strong relationships with students, engaging activities, and strengthened her classroom management skills – an essential component when working with children across a wide age range.”
Roberts agreed about the class preparing her well for her future career. She said she highly recommends high school students enroll in vocational programs to help decide if the path is right for them before committing to college or further training.
“There are lots of people I know who thought they wanted to work with kids and then took this course or another related course and decided it’s not for them, or that it was their calling. Either way is great!” she said. “It is always better to have more experience before you decide on something serious. Working with children is not just playing; it is tough, and it is stressful, but seeing them grow is worth every headache and every laugh!”
She also credited co-instructors Erin Luckhardt, Michele Deming, her teachers at Pellston, the Bear Cub staff, and her parents for encouraging her along her journey to become a teacher.
Luckhardt recalled Roberts as a go-getter who naturally clicks with young children.
“Emma took initiative and was a natural with students. They gravitated toward working with her and loved when she was in their classroom,” said Luckhardt. “I remember Emma being confident from the get-go when it came to working with students. She continued to build her teaching skill set throughout the program. Once she graduates from college, I hope she’ll be a great teacher for one of our districts.”
As part of the ISD’s Career Tech to Careers events, Roberts received a $200 gift card to Office Max from the Mansfield Family Foundation, which has generously supported the ISD’s signing events and career tech initiatives for many years.
Photo caption: Pictured at the recent signing event with Emma Roberts (seated) are some children from Bear Cub Child Care Center, along with Jim Rummer (also seated), Director of Career and Technical Education for Char-Em ISD; (standing, from left) Hannah Sanderson, CTE consultant, Char-Em ISD; Bear Cub owner Christy Cameron; Erin Luckhardt, FEA Instructor; Chris Schlappi, Pellston High School principal; Stephen Seelye, Pellston Public Schools Superintendent; and Jessica Bauman, Bear Cub staff member.