Toni Baxter, a second-grade teacher at Lincoln Elementary School in Macomb, is redefining what it means to engage young learners. In her fourth year at Lincoln and 13th as a teacher, Toni has introduced a program that combines play, technology, and critical thinking: after-school robotics. Through her efforts, students as young as seven are not only building LEGO creations but also learning foundational coding and teamwork skills that prepare them for future academic and personal success.

The robotics program began last year as a vision of bringing technology traditionally reserved for older students to the younger grades. “The district had been offering robotics in the upper grades, but I kept pushing to bring it down to the younger kids,” Toni explains. “Finally, with grant funding, we were able to get LEGO Essential and Spike sets. It’s been a game-changer.”

Initially, the program launched with 60 students divided into three groups of 20. With only parent volunteers to assist her, Toni led the program single-handedly, guiding students through building and programming LEGO sets equipped with motors and sensors. This year, the program has grown to 80 students, thanks to additional equipment and the support of co-teacher Cheryl Brillhart. “We’ve also added Dash and Dot robots, which introduce more advanced coding concepts,” Toni says. “The kids love racing them down the hallway and figuring out how to direct them.”

At its core, the program is about much more than robotics. Toni emphasizes the skills students develop along the way: critical thinking, spatial awareness, teamwork, and problem-solving. “Even something as simple as following directions to build a LEGO set teaches them to visualize and rotate objects in their minds,” she explains. “And when they code, they’re learning how to test and adjust—if the robot goes too fast or too far, they figure out how to correct it.”

The benefits extend beyond the classroom. On the final day of each four-session cycle, parents are invited to an exhibition where students demonstrate what they’ve built and learned. “The kids are so excited to show their parents,” Toni shares. “You see their faces light up as they explain the coding and get their robots to perform. It’s a moment of pride for them—and for me.”

Despite its success, the program faces challenges, particularly with transportation. As an after-school activity, families must arrange to pick up their children, which can limit participation for those without access to reliable transportation. Still, Toni remains hopeful that the program will continue to grow and evolve.

Toni’s passion for teaching is rooted in her own educational journey. Originally from the Quad Cities, she earned degrees in accounting and early childhood education, including a Master’s degree in instructional design technology. Before becoming a teacher, she worked as a sign language interpreter, an experience that gave her a unique perspective on the importance of communication and connection in education. “I loved school as a kid, but it wasn’t until I worked in a kindergarten classroom as an interpreter that I realized I wanted to teach,” she says. “Seeing those kids’ eyes light up when they understood something was magical.”

After several years teaching in a nearby district, Toni and her family moved to Macomb when her husband, a Macomb High School graduate, accepted a position in early childhood education. The move brought them closer to his extended family and allowed Toni to join the team at Lincoln Elementary, where she’s found a community of supportive colleagues and administrators.

Toni credits the school’s leadership for empowering her to pursue innovative programs like robotics. “Mr. Bryan and Mr. Crosby have been amazing,” she says. “They trust us to try new things and give us the resources we need to succeed.”

Looking ahead, Toni hopes to see the robotics program inspire a pipeline of interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields. She’s already collaborating with teachers at Edison Elementary and Macomb Junior High to ensure a seamless transition for students as they advance through the district. “We’re building a foundation,” she explains. “By the time they get to the competitive robotics programs in the upper grades, they’ll have the skills and confidence to dive right in.”

For Toni, the rewards of teaching go beyond academic achievements. “It’s about giving kids opportunities they might not otherwise have,” she says. “When I see them light up—when they realize they can do something they thought was too hard—that’s everything.”

Through her dedication and innovation, Toni Baxter is not just teaching her students to build robots; she’s teaching them to dream big and tackle challenges with curiosity and confidence. Her work is a shining example of how Macomb educators are shaping the future, one LEGO brick at a time.