Alexus Hill has always stepped into responsibility. From helping her younger siblings start their day to planning activities for her Early Childhood Education [2] lab at College of Western Idaho (CWI), caring for others has been part of her daily rhythm.

As the oldest of eight, Hill has been shaping the lives of others for as long as she can remember. Now, she is turning that energy into a career in early childhood education.

“I’ve always loved being able to share information with others, especially with kids,” Hill said. “Watching their growth, even from ages two to three, is so rewarding.”

Hill’s path to early childhood education began at home. Growing up in an in-home daycare her mom ran, she spent much of her childhood surrounded by young children. Those early experiences sparked a dream of opening her own daycare someday, which led her to initially explore coursework through CWI’s Business program.

However, after taking classes and working in a community daycare, Hill realized her passion was not running a business. It was working directly with children and helping them grow.

“Being around kids just felt right,” she said. “I loved seeing them learn and grow, more than I liked the idea of running a business. I wanted to learn how to work with kids and be the best teacher I could be. "

That realization led Hill to CWI’s Early Childhood Education program [2], where she quickly felt she had found her place.  She felt more engaged in her coursework and energized by what she was learning.

“It was night and day,” Hill said. “I wasn’t just showing up. I was excited about what I was learning.”

In the program, Hill gained hands-on experience through CWI’s Early Childhood Education lab, where students work directly with children ages three to five. There, she observes development, plans activities, and watches children grow over time. One of her favorite parts is seeing progress in small moments, like a child learning to write their name or developing new language skills.

“That growth happens so fast,” Hill said. “Being part of that and knowing you helped nurture it is really rewarding.”

This semester, Hill has expanded her experience by working in the community through an internship with Western Idaho Community Action Partnership’s (WICAP) [3] Head Start Program, a federally funded preschool program [4] serving infants and toddlers. The opportunity allows her to work with younger children and gain experience outside the classroom.

“Being out in the community has helped me see how early support can change a child’s trajectory and set them up for success before they even enter kindergarten,” she said.

Hill’s passion for the field is personal in many ways. Growing up with siblings who have disabilities shaped her perspective and strengthened her desire to advocate for children who may not always be able to advocate for themselves. That commitment has drawn her toward inclusion-focused coursework and influenced her interest in becoming a paraprofessional or head teacher after graduation.

As a bilingual student who speaks both English and Spanish, Hill is intentional about creating classroom environments where all children feel represented. When planning activities, she incorporates vocabulary in both languages to support Spanish-speaking children and families.

“I want to be able to advocate for kids who need someone in their corner,” Hill said. “Every child deserves to be supported and understood.”

Her drive to support every child is evident in her work in the classroom. Early Childhood Education Instructor, Nicole Hodges, recalls the strong connection Hill developed with a child during the Fall 2025 semester who was difficult to understand and had been referred for speech therapy. When other teachers struggled to understand him, the child consistently sought out Hill, trusting her to help communicate his needs.

“Alexus has gone above and beyond to make sure this child feels welcomed, seen, and understood,” Hodges said. “Her patience and compassion for all the children can be seen daily, but her relationship with this child and his family is the epitome of a secure attachment.”

Balancing school with caregiving responsibilities and a full course load has not always been easy. Hill credits her support system for helping her stay on track. Her professors, classmates, and advisors have played a key role in her success, offering encouragement and guidance when she needs it most.

“The professors really care,” Hill said. “They get to know you as a person, not just a student. It feels like a community.”

Hill has plans to graduate from CWI in December 2026 and hopes to someday return to WICAP as a head teacher. She also hopes to support families beyond the classroom by sharing the knowledge she gains through her education — including with her own mother, whose in-home daycare and guidance helped shape her path.

“She wanted to do this herself,” Hill said. “Being able to finish this means a lot, not just for me, but for her too.”

For Hill, Early Childhood Education is more than a career choice. It is a way to give back, advocate, and help shape children’s lives from the very beginning.