Finding Purpose in the Unplanned

Chelsey Willms’s journey to teaching was anything but conventional. As a veteran, mother, and advocate, she never set out with a specific plan to become an educator—but life had its own way of guiding her there. Looking back, every twist and turn in her path helped shape her philosophy, resilience, and deeply held belief in the power of education. “I never purposely pursued a career path,” she laughs. “It felt almost like happenstance led me to where I needed to be.”

This ‘happenstance’ has led to a career that integrates all facets of her experiences—military service, special education, social work, and psychology—into a position where she assists students in navigating their own uncertain journeys. As an instructor at Western Technical College, Willms teaches in Project Proven, a program that supports justice-impacted individuals while guiding students through GED and HSED orientations. Her work encompasses everything from academic coaching to helping students build confidence and purpose in their education.

From Student to Educator: The Power of Experience

Willms’s relationship with Western Technical College began long before she became an instructor. She was once a student there herself, unsure of her future and struggling to find her place. “I always wanted to be a teacher, but I didn’t think I was smart enough to go to a university,” she recalls with a furrowed brow. After facing difficulties in school and receiving what she considered a low ACT score, she initially viewed Western as her only option rather than her first choice. “I just thought, ‘the not-as-smart kids go to Western,’” she says, shaking her head at her younger self. “But I was very wrong. Western provided me with the hands-on experience and authentic scenarios that my university peers truly envied.

After enlisting and serving in the Army, Willms returned to Western, initially pursuing a degree in criminal justice. “A huge incentive for joining the military was the educational benefits,” she explains. “When I got out, I was a single mother and believed education was my ticket to stability for my son and me.” As she gained experience in the field, she realized she didn’t envision herself in law enforcement. “When I had to conduct arrest scenarios, I remember saying, ‘Sir, will you please put your hands behind your back?’ And my instructor stared at me as if to say, ‘You don’t say please!’ That was the moment I knew this wasn’t for me.”

Her educational pathway took a new turn when she joined AmeriCorps and worked in the Green Bay Public Schools. That experience led her into K–12 education, where she served as a special education teacher across elementary, middle, and high schools. “Fast forward to my pursuit of a master’s while working in the K-12 department Western in 2016; I found myself curious to gain experience in K–12 to truly understand what was shaping students before they entered higher education,” she says. “I took a position as a teacher assistant in the La Crosse School District, and midway through the year, a limited-term special education teaching position opened. I enrolled at Viterbo to obtain my post-baccalaureate teacher licensure while officially becoming a teacher. My seemingly random path of happenstance led me to a dream that once seemed impossible.

Teaching with Compassion and Curiosity

Now, as an instructor at Western, Willms draws upon her wide experiences to guide students who may also be searching for their own paths. Her classroom is anything but traditional. “I’m a strong believer in advocacy and understanding the complexity of being human,” she explains. “I want my students to feel seen and to understand that their past does not define their future.”

Her approach to teaching challenges traditional norms. She embraces difficult conversations and encourages students to explore perspectives they may not have previously considered. In her Introduction to Psychology class, she begins with an exercise that invites students to confront their own biases. She shows them a photo of herself with her children and asks them to guess their relationship. The responses often reveal unconscious assumptions, and rather than reprimanding them, Willms uses this as a moment for reflection and growth. “I want my classroom to be a space where students feel safe enough to be honest and challenge their own perspectives,” she says. “Because real learning occurs when we allow ourselves to be uncomfortable.”

For Willms, education encompasses more than merely mastering skills; it involves learning through both successes and failures. “I believe success is about setting a goal and achieving it,” she explains. “However, for some individuals, success might be derived from the lessons learned through failure. I adhere to this truism: ‘If you learned a lesson, it’s never a loss.’”

A Full-Circle Moment

Despite the challenges of working with students facing systemic barriers, Willms finds deep fulfilment in her role. Every struggle and experience—whether in the military, in K-12 classrooms, or in her own personal life—has uniquely prepared her to serve in this capacity and this place. “When I left Western, I knew I wanted to find my way back,” she shares. “I believe in Western’s mission and vision to its core, especially after achieving my master’s degree and understanding the history of technical colleges compared to universities. Western aligns with my values and integrity.”

This knowledge of Western, along with a chance encounter with a former colleague, inspired her to apply for her current role. “I ran into a former employee and asked how everyone was doing at Western. He mentioned that a position was open and encouraged me to apply. When I looked at the openings, I found the vacancy for the Academic Intervention Instructor. The requirements included at least five years of teaching experience—I had just entered my sixth year. I felt compelled to apply, and the rest is history.”

She reflects on the journey that brought her here, the unexpected opportunities that shaped her path, and the students whose lives she now has the privilege of influencing. “It’s funny,” she muses. “I never planned for any of this. But somehow, I ended up exactly where I was meant to be.”