Tucked away in a corner of the commons is the new addition to the FACS department, Emma Carlson.
Graduating from Kansas State University last May, she dreamed of doing her student teaching at Olathe West. This school year, you may have seen her around or had her in a variety of her classes.
“I teach family and consumer sciences, so I have nutrition and wellness, family studies, human development and relationships and personal well-being,” Carlson said.
Growing up Carlson knew exactly what she wanted to do. Following in her parents’ footsteps she found her passion in teaching.
“Both of my parents are teachers, so I grew up knowing I wanted to be a teacher. I didn’t know what subject or what age until I started college,” Carlson said.
In college, Carlson earned a double major in Family Consumer Science and Secondary Education and minored in Human Development and Personal Well-Being focusing on teaching. This led her to come into teaching prepared and educated on exactly what she teaches students now.
“I started at K-State, and I did a four-year degree for my bachelors— I can technically teach any FACS classes in a high school or middle school,” Carlson said.
Although Carlson thought about other career choices throughout college she came back to teaching, following her dream and passion.
“I definitely thought about other careers like here and there, but I never really seriously considered any of them because I always knew that teaching was what I was meant to do,” Carlson said.
In the future, Carlson might consider trying something new but for now, she is going to continue to work in the education field.
“I’ve considered school counseling at the high school level, but I don’t know if that’s something I’ll move into because I really enjoy being in the classroom,” Carlson said.
After working for her degrees, Carlson is happy to find a home in the place she dreamed of working.
“I love Olathe West. I feel so lucky that I work here. This is like my dream job and I feel so lucky that this was my first teaching job. Every day, it feels like Christmas that I work here,” Carlson said.
