#ThrowbackThursday: Emily Poston
Emily Poston – Elementary Education
Tell us a little about your background.
I grew up in the small community of Warden, Washington. I was raised next door to my grandparents on their cattle ranch. Although I lived on their farm, I did not do a lot of work on it. My dad worked in irrigation and my mom was the city clerk and manager for our town. I’m a third generation Coug and proud of it! My grandfather, father, and older sister attended before me, along with almost every aunt, uncle, and cousin! I moved to Pullman in 2010 as a freshman in college and decided I wanted to stay in Pullman to live, work, and raise my family.
What did you study at WSU? Did you always know you wanted to study that?
I studied Elementary Education while attending WSU and graduated in 2014. Growing up, I always wanted to be a teacher. I was the typical teacher’s pet and proud of it. In high school, my favorite part of my day was was leadership class where we worked to make our school a better place and the period the day when I was a teacher’s aid.
What has been your favorite thing about WSU, as well as the College of Education?
My favorite thing about WSU is the camaraderie among students, especially in the College of Education. I enjoyed the small class sizes in the College of Education. It made it easy to get to know my professors and peers. We all worked well together and it made learning fun when we enjoyed each others company.
Is there a memory you have from WSU that stands out in your mind as unforgettable, transformative, etc.?
The memories that stand out most from my time at WSU always involve Cougar Football. Growing up, I went to football games with my family and it has always been my favorite way to stay involved as an alumni. It is such an indescribable experience that we get to enjoy as cougar fans, whether we are on the winning or losing side of the game.
What has your career path been since you left WSU? What do you currently do? Tell us about your NOW life!
I have been so fortunate to be an educator in the Pullman community. I am not only able to make a difference in the lives of my students but I am able to support the experiences of practicum students in my classroom from WSU. When I was going to WSU, my practicum each was the most valuable learning experience I had outside of student teaching. I keep that in mind whenever I am able to involve future educators in my classroom!
What makes you an agent of change?
I am an agent of change because I work hard to focus on the wellbeing of my students and shaping their future outside of academics. I make sure that they leave my classroom knowing how to treat others with kindness and work hard in the face of adversity. I also want them to leave my classroom empowered to be inclusive to everyone no matter their difference in character, abilities, or race.
Favorites
Food: Tacos
Restaurant in Pullman: Birch and Barley
Band: Old Dominion
Song: Stick Season by Noah Kahan
Movie: The Harry Potter Series
TV show: Gilmore Girls
Favorite Coug sport: Football
Favorite spot on campus (when you were a student): Gesa Field at Martin Stadium
Hobby: Cooking
Place to visit (you’ve been to): Vietnam
Dream vacation spot (you haven’t been to): Cappadocia, Turkey