At MacArthur Early Childhood Center, a dedicated educator is making waves in the world of early childhood education. It was an honor to sit down with Mallory Kessler, a teacher whose innovative approach and commitment to her students are lighting the way for the next generation.

Mallory’s journey to Macomb wasn’t a straight line, but rather a series of serendipitous steps that led her to where she is today. Growing up in Camp Point, Illinois, Mallory always knew she wanted to be a teacher. As the oldest of four children, she often played the role of educator, corralling her siblings into impromptu classroom sessions. “I would make them play school,” she recalls with a laugh. “It would last a real short time before they were done with it, but I insisted we finish the workbook!”

After attending Illinois College in Jacksonville and marrying her high school sweetheart, Mallory found herself in Macomb, where her husband was pursuing athletic training at Western Illinois University. What began as a temporary stop has now turned into 13 years of dedicated service to the community.

Mallory is known for her enthusiasm, creativity, and her ability to connect with both students and parents. But what really sets her apart is her work with a very special educational tool—the StarLab, a digital mobile planetarium that brings the wonders of the universe to young learners right in their classroom.

The StarLab, which has been a part of MacArthur for many years, recently received a significant upgrade thanks to Mallory’s advocacy and resourcefulness. “The old StarLab was aging—it was basically held together with duct tape,” Mallory jokes. The dome was claustrophobic, with a dark tunnel that children and teachers alike had to crawl through on all fours. “Claustrophobia would set in for me,” she admits, and it’s easy to see why.

But the updated iteration of the technology—the Digitalis Mobile Planetarium—is a game-changer. “It’s digital now, with a 360-degree fisheye lens, and it’s even Wi-Fi enabled, so it automatically gets updates from the company,” Mallory explains. The dome is now handicap accessible, with a zipper door that allows easy entry for all students. And the possibilities for learning? Endless.

“The Digitalis Mobile Planetarium can take you anywhere— from flying to Jupiter to hovering above the Earth and watching the migration patterns of loggerhead turtles,” Mallory says, her excitement palpable. For the young children she teaches, the experience of sitting inside the dome and watching the night sky come to life is nothing short of magical. It’s not just about learning constellations or the phases of the moon; it’s about sparking curiosity and a lifelong love of learning.

Mallory is quick to emphasize that the goal isn’t necessarily to turn every child into an astronaut. “We’re not raising pre-K kids to be astronauts,” she says with a smile. “The goal is to spark that curiosity and make them want to learn more.” And for many of her students, the StarLab experience becomes a core memory—a touchstone that they carry with them throughout their educational journey.

But Mallory’s impact goes beyond the StarLab. She’s a teacher who understands the importance of early intervention and the role it plays in shaping a child’s future. “Pre-K really has an important job,” she says. “It’s the launch pad for the rest of their education.” Whether it’s working with children who have special needs, partnering with parents to ease their anxieties, or simply making learning fun, Mallory is deeply committed to ensuring that every child gets the best possible start.

Mallory’s passion for education is matched by her belief in the power of public schools. “Everybody deserves a good education, no matter if you can afford to pay tuition or not,” she says firmly. It’s a philosophy that guides her work every day, as she helps prepare the children of Macomb for bright futures.

As she looks back on her journey, Mallory is filled with gratitude. “There are lots of times where I’m like, wow, God knew what He was doing,” she reflects. What began as a short-term teaching job has blossomed into a fulfilling career, one that allows her to make a real difference in the lives of her students.

And as for the future? Mallory is excited about the possibilities. She envisions the Digitalis Mobile Planetarium becoming a districtwide resource, with more teachers trained to use it and even more students getting the chance to explore the cosmos from the comfort of their classroom. It’s a big dream, but if there’s one thing Mallory has shown, it’s that she’s not afraid to aim for the stars.

In Mallory Kessler, Macomb has an educator who is not only preparing its youngest learners for the future but is also enriching the entire community. Her dedication, creativity, and unwavering belief in the power of education make her a true asset to the Macomb School District.