You never see Emily that she isn’t wearing that bright beautiful smile. Once talking to her at length, you know she is passionate about and has a huge heart for children. At only 31 years old, her name already leaves a legacy.
Emily Cruse graduated from a small West Virginia high school where the two main career choices were coal mining for boys and teaching for girls. Having a heart for helping people and thoroughly enjoying serving others, Emily pursued her education career and in 2006, her first year in college, got married.
Emily’s first teaching position after graduating college was in as a paraprofessional for children in Colorado with special needs where she worked for a year. Having a brother with special needs she felt a since of purpose as an advocate for the voice of children with special needs.
With a passion for special needs, Emily created a Local Special Olympic event in her home town. It’s called the Cannon Ball Bowling event. “We just completed our ninth year and it has grown every year. We now have over seventy athletes. One this special day, the athletes have the opportunity to bowl, play games, pizza, a t-shirt, and even see Santa.
In 2011 Emily and her husband moved to Maryland just outside of West Virginia carrying with her the belief that every child needs someone to advocate for them. Once into the education workforce, Emily, frustrated, felt she was working against the system. Often, she witnessed others perform what she felt was mediocre work ethics with little alarm for issues she deemed vital such as students missing from class for several days with no administrative contact or concern. As a teacher, Emily recognized this area of education as one where she could make a difference for this age group and break the cycle generational poverty. It was then that she decided counseling might be more within her skill set.
On a whim she and her husband decide to move to Charleston, SC as her husband was accepted to complete his Master’s degree at Charleston Southern University. Emily, unable to get into the school system began offering nanny services, dog walking and elder care while she pursued a counseling degree at American Public University. She completed the program courses in a year and spent another year on her internship.
Her internship mentor became ill and Emily carried out that position in her absence. Finishing her course, and internship, Emily graduated in April 2015 after which she received a position at a local high school as a counselor. Only one year on her job, district budget costs pushed her to a local elementary school where she was hired as a interventionist but needed as a teacher. Her position and title changed multiple times from September to December of that school year. Emily resigned from her teaching position shortly thereafter.
She told us, “it really opened my eyes as to how we under serve some children and some schools.” Although unemployed, yet still passionate to make a difference in the lives of children, she emailed the Principal at another local elementary school, got offered the position and has been there since.
As a counselor with a passion and a purpose, Emily sees students individually and in small groups. She teaches them social skills, anger management, how to deal with emotional behaviors and provides classes for the children to attend that educates children about character building. Her students are taught about the value of “thank you” and “I’m sorry” which Emily feels has been lost in some of the previous generations. “many of the kids I meet today don’t even know they are supposed to be grateful or apologize.” Emily told us. My goal as a counselor is to build confidence, make each child feel loved, and help them reach their highest potential.
Emily has created a group along with two friends called “The wonder girls group” where the motto is “make them wonder about your shine.” This group teaches young girls about confidence, and self-worth and Emily has Wonder Women mentors from within the local community that attend once a week to educate the young ladies on manners, dress, etc. The wonder girls hosted a dinner to show gratitude to the previous speaker s who have come to share experiences with them. The girls were taught about giving back, service work, showing gratitude, and not expecting something in return.
Emily has also created a new event working with the police department, Shine the light on Kindness event where parents and family members are encouraged to attend. Emily notes that often at Christmas time, the community will spoil the students but what the children really need is parents to spend time with them, to participate in their activities and make memories with them. This event offered a movie, popcorn, family night with the purpose of this event is to bring families together, shine the light on kindness and stop bullying.
Emily’s passion doesn’t stop in the classroom or school system. She has plans to create a non-profit, a school within a school program through trauma behavior. “Emily stated, “Most behavior is related to some sort of tragedy or trauma, but the lack of discipline is the children need to deal with their issues.” The program will offer a 1:5ratio as well as provide one on one therapy. She also hopes to look at state testing and how it relates to home life and culture. She says, “We need high expectations for kids to pull themselves out of the generational patterns, experiences and anger they deal with every day.” She continued to tell us that she feels she is on a mission and has a purpose to be here. When she doubts herself, her mission her purpose or the frustration get to be too much she is reminded that God has placed her here by a child coming to her, and sharing a lesson they have learned through her. Like recently a child with a huge smile proudly said, “Mrs C. I used self-control today!”
Emily is passionately driven, gets much of her strength from her God and if you ask Emily herself, she’ll tell you, “The kids pull me up.” She also boasts that she has a wonderful supportive husband who often serves as her sounding board, is a great listener but refuses to allow her to wallow in her pity parties. She says, “He makes me a better person and I take that to the children.” We are convinced that the love and passion from her husband and the children she comes in contact with is what keeps that’s smile of her face.
To contact Emily email: emily_cruse@charleston.k12.sc.us