Emily Haberkorn’s students don’t usually raise their hands in class, but that’s because many of them are just figuring out what hands are. 

Haberkorn teaches infants ages eight weeks to 18 months at Grand Kids Learning Center. This year she was voted best teacher in Grand County. 

While schooling such young children might sound strange, Haberkorn explained that the work she does imparts some of the most basic knowledge to her students. 

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“Everyone’s like, how are you a teacher if you work with infants?” she said. “Well, I do teach life things that you need. Someone taught you how to eat and how to use a spoon. Those are things people don’t think about.” 

Haberkorn has up to eight babies a day in her classroom, but no day is the same because all her classes are “baby led.” 

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“With that range of ages, we do everything from just eating and sleeping to some art projects to just play,” she said. “We try to get outside as much as we can.” 

One of Haberkorn’s students is her 4-month-old daughter, Austyn. Haberkorn said having her own baby has made her all the more aware of the trust parents put into her to take care of their young ones. 

Haberkorn has been in the county for over 20 years and spent a long time in the resort industry. While she spent a while wanting to work with kids, she didn’t have the means to go back to school and further her education in that area on her own. 

Grand Kids provided an opportunity to be a part of that and is helping her with college classes, along with a scholarship through the Lions Club. 

She’s now been teaching at Grand Kids for three years, with most of that time spent in the infant classes. 

“One of the most rewarding things I’ve done in my life is work with kids, babies especially,” she said. “They’re so genuine. They’re the sweetest little things.” 

She added that it was an honor to be considered the best teacher in Grand County this year among so many talented educators. 

“Up here, we have some really great teachers and everyone truly does care about our community,” Haberkorn said. “I do love my families and it shows that my families love me.”