With more than 10 years of experience as a certified athletic trainer, Alyssa Emanuelson brings a unique perspective to her role as health science teacher at Richwoods High School, where she has developed her own curriculum and teaches four dual-credit courses. In addition to serving on multiple committees, she is head coach of Richwoods’ award-winning speech team, guiding the team to multiple state, regional and national titles since 2011.
An adjunct instructor at Illinois Central College, Emanuelson serves on the Medical Assistant Advisory Committee and is a CPR-certified instructor for the American Heart Association, certifying approximately 100 ICC students each year while also training staff members. She is an athletic trainer for Midwest Orthopaedic Group, providing coverage to various high schools in a medical capacity and making return-to-play decisions in coordination with coaches and medical emergency personnel. She was also an exam writer for national boards in athletic training from 2010 to 2015.
Outside of her demanding work schedule, Emanuelson is active in animal rescue programs, having volunteered for the Peoria Humane Society, TAPS No-Kill Animal Shelter and Alliance for Therapy Dogs. She sits on the board of directors for Foster Pet Outreach, serving as foster home coordinator and a member of the intake committee, and her dedication has been critical to the organization’s rebranding, fundraising and subsequent growth. Over the last seven years, Emanuelson has fostered and successfully homed more than 230 dogs—including 58 in the last year alone. Her own dogs are certified therapy dogs, visiting local nursing homes, libraries and schools to provide comfort to children and adults.
Not only does Emanuelson open her home to pets in need, she is also a foster parent with The Center for Youth and Family Solutions. In 2017, she completed her most prestigious accomplishment to date: successfully adopting her daughter, Shai. Emanuelson holds a BS in exercise science and athletic training; an MS in kinesiology from Illinois State University; and an MA in teaching from Olivet Nazarene University. iBi
