Michelle Emerson
Anne Arundel County Public Schools
Odenton, MD USA
"When it comes to starting a new endeavor, there’s always a reason to say 'no.' You have to choose to focus on the reasons to say 'yes' instead."
Career Roadmap
Michelle's work combines: Education, Entrepreneurship, and Teaching / Mentoring
See more careers and stories that connect to your interests.
Take Roadmap Quiz
Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Advice for getting started
When I started my YouTube channel, I was afraid. I thought no one would care what I had to say. After thinking about it, I realized that the worse thing that could happen is no one watches my videos. If that's the case, then I'd just stop making videos. No harm done. But if it actually grew into what I hoped for, then I could connect and inspire teachers around the world—which is what's happening now! There will always be a reason to say no. You have to choose to focus on the reasons to say yes.
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Elementary Education and Teaching
Salisbury State University
Graduate Degree
Teaching and Learning
Capella University
Certification
Microsoft Office Specialist
Certification
Advanced Professional Certificate in Elementary Educations
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life has been direct
1.
I knew from a very young age that I wanted to become a teacher.
2.
I went to Salisbury University and earned my bachelor’s degree in elementary education.
3.
I began my teaching career as a second-grade teacher at a Title I school.
4.
After three years as a second-grade teacher, I transitioned to teaching fourth grade—I currently teach fourth-grade math, science, and social studies.
5.
In addition to teaching full time, I also run a YouTube channel called "Pocketful of Primary."
6.
I use my YouTube channel to help empower, inspire, and motivate other teachers by sharing applicable classroom strategies.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Myself:
No one will care what I have to say.
How I responded:
When I started my YouTube channel, I was afraid. I thought no one would care what I had to say. After thinking about it, I realized that the worse thing that could happen is no one watches my videos. If that's the case, then I'd just stop making videos. No harm done. But if it actually grew into what I hoped for, then I could connect and inspire teachers around the world—which is what's happening now! There will always be a reason to say no. You have to choose to focus on the reasons to say yes.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
When I first started teaching, I felt overwhelmed because the realities of teaching didn't align with what I thought teaching was. I love it, but it's a lot more work than college and student teaching had prepared me for.