From Student to Teacher: Lilly Mahar’s Work-Based Learning Story

For most high school seniors, the school day is defined by lockers and lecture halls. But for Loy Norrix senior Lillian “Lilly” Mahar, half of her day is spent where her own journey began: Little Tykes Learning Center.

Lilly is a student in the Career Connect Career & Technical Education (CTE) Educator Academy. Through a partnership between Kalamazoo RESA, Kalamazoo Public Schools, and Little Tykes Learning Center, Lilly spends part of her day at the high school and the rest immersed in the world of early childhood education, caring for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.

Last year, Lilly’s CTE journey started in a first-grade classroom. While she enjoyed the experience, she felt a pull toward teaching younger students. Working alongside Lori Pelton, one of KRESA’s Career Connect Work-Based Learning coordinators, Lilly was able to secure a placement that felt a bit more like home.

The move to Little Tykes wasn't just a career shift; it was a homecoming. Growing up, Lilly was a student at the very same center.

“When I was here, I was just a kid, you know, having fun, learning new things,” Lilly said. “And now that I'm here being like the older person to look up to... getting hugs and snuggles, it's just so amazing.”

For Lilly, the Work-Based Learning (WBL) program has completely redefined her high school experience. She is gaining hands-on experience with classroom management while earning a paycheck.

“I feel like I'm not wasting my time,” Lilly says. “My whole high school experience has changed in such a good way. I’m learning something that I actually want to go into.”

The staff at Little Tykes adore Lilly, saying she has a natural ability to connect with the children. As she prepares to graduate, Lilly plans to attend Michigan State University to pursue a degree in education or early childhood education.

Find out more about our WBL program and CTE courses on our page here: kresa.org/careerconnect.