Alumna enjoys providing an educational foundation

Erin Busse believes she has always been destined to be a teacher.

“I’ve always had a passion for teaching and always knew I wanted to do that,” she said. “Ever since — I don't even know; my earliest memory — I just knew I was going to be a teacher.”

She pursued her bachelor’s in elementary education at St. Cloud State University due to both its affordability as well as the education program’s strong reputation. When it came time for her student-teaching rotation, Busse specifically asked for a position down in the Twin Cities.

“I wanted to do something different. I wanted to go down to the Cities and work in the inner-city communities,” she said. “I didn't even know if I could do that.”

With help from an SCSU adviser, Busse was able to take a student-teaching position in St. Paul.

“I think that's something great that St. Cloud State does: if you say, ‘Hey, I really want to pursue this. I really want to do this,’ they will help you make that stuff happen — whatever it is you're pursuing,” she said. “I’m just really grateful for everything they offered me and the experiences I had.”

In addition to the education program, Busse was involved in the Delta Zeta sorority while at SCSU.

“It was nice to be part of something that's bigger than yourself, and nice to take that with you,” she said. “It's a nice way to make connections, which is another thing that SCSU really taught me — how to make connections in the classroom and outside of the classroom.”

After graduating in 2008, Busse moved to New York to teach pre-K for a few years before earning her master’s degree and moving to Chicago to teach. Once she was married and later started a family, she took a break from teaching and nannied until her youngest child started preschool.

“I went back to teaching preschool last year when my son was 3, and he actually got to be in my class,” she said. “I’m back to teaching and just loving it.”

Busse said working in preschools means she’s teaching her favorite age group.

“Everyone has kind of their own little niche in teaching, and mine's definitely in early childhood education. I love seeing them come in — they're barely 3 years old, they don't know if they should leave their mom or leave whoever, and then they come in and just become people and show you their personalities,” she said. “You're able to take that and foster their curiosity and give them the tools to be as creative as they want so that they can become lifelong learners. It's a really rewarding experience.”

It is Busse’s hope that she can give students the building blocks for the rest of their educational journeys, and help them impact those around them moving forward.

“I believe these years lay the foundation for a child's entire future. I feel it is a great honor to get to be their first teacher in their school years and I feel grateful to play a role in their education,” she said. “Teaching in early childhood helps others by nurturing the skills, confidence and curiosity children need to thrive. It also supports families and strengthens communities, creating a positive ripple effect that lasts far beyond the classroom.”

She encouraged those pursuing a career in education to realize their passion and hold onto it.

“You're going to have great years and you're going to have bad years. No year is the same. No two classes look the same. My first year teaching was fabulous. My second year teaching was super hard,” Busse said. “You're going to have those moments, but stick with it. If you've lost your passion, dig down deep and find it — it's in there. No one goes into teaching because it's this lucrative career. They teach because they want to make a difference.”