Excelsior Springs, Mo. – When Emily Post stepped into her classroom at the Excelsior Springs Area Career Center for the first time last fall to become “Mrs. Post,” she brought 18 years of hands-on experience, a doctorate in physical therapy, and a growth mindset that earned her Teacher of the Year.
Before trading in her clinic badge for a classroom key, Post spent 13 years in outpatient care and five years in home health, after earning her Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) from St. Catherine University in Minneapolis. Her transition to education wasn’t something she took lightly, but rather was a move she felt fit her family’s lives and gave her a newfound sense of purpose.
She felt that her course, while focused heavily on anatomy, needed more real-world experiences to help information stick to the minds of her students. Post has leaned into creativity to make the material meaningful and memorable. One of the most powerful moments of the year came after a class visit to the Glore Psychiatric Museum in St. Joseph. “That trip shifted the tone of the entire semester,” she explained. “It changed perspectives. It helped the students come out of their shell and think in new ways.”
From clinical rotation observations to writing letters to next year’s students, Post’s curriculum encouraged students to reflect, connect, and reach for their big aspirations. While they’re still young learners, Post treats them like the emerging professionals they are.
“They get out of it what they put into it,” she said. “When you give students responsibility and trust, they rise to meet it.” One student summed it up best: “It feels like we’re adulting.” That sense of ownership and environment that encourages independence, she believes, is the first step toward becoming a thoughtful and effective healthcare provider.
Outside the classroom, Post’s world revolves around her family. She and her husband are raising three children aged between 7 and 12 years old. They live on 40 acres in Lawson, Missouri. With chickens in the yard and nature as their playground, the Post family embraces a naturalist lifestyle.
Whether she’s leading a fun and unique project or modeling what it means to lead with empathy and integrity, Emily Post is helping to guide the next generation of caregivers while being a continuous learner herself. “I’ve learned more than my students learned,” she said with a laugh. Her passion for both healthcare and education is unmistakable, and her students are better for it. As she looks ahead to future classes, Post is excited to continue refining her approach—and to keep empowering students to step confidently into the world of physical therapy. .
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