Making a Move: Stepping Out and Stepping Up to Grow Maker Programming in My Community
By Melissa Carey, MakerUSA Program Manager
A recent group of Maker Education Meetup participants get a VIP behind the scenes tour of Able Trade - a maker space in Knoxville, TN.
I’ve now been in my role as a Program Manager with MakerUSA for just over two years. In that time, I’ve met so many incredible people and discovered countless things I never knew about the city and community I’ve called home my entire life. I’ve also had the opportunity to connect with passionate makers across the United States and across the Atlantic Ocean—all through the power and possibility of making.
When I first began to consider stepping out of my role as a fifth-grade teacher in what I would call a ‘dream’ classroom, and stepping in to my role with MakerUSA, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I thought I might be leaving behind a career I loved—but instead, I’ve found that the very skills and values that made me a strong educator have been great assets in this new chapter. I could never have imagined how deeply the maker mindset would align with my own philosophy of education and offer new and unexpected opportunities to use my passions and expertise in creative and meaningful ways.
In fact - I had a full-circle moment not too long ago. I was in a room filled with members of community-serving organizations, all gathered to share ideas for supporting our opportunity youth population—and I ran into a former student of mine. She had graduated and was now working to create positive community outcomes herself. That moment stopped me in my tracks - (I may or may not have been a bit emotional). It reminded me of how deeply impactful this work can be and inspired me to dig in even further.
Making an interactive art piece at the Global Center for Digital Innovation in Chattanooga, TN.
Making, I’ve discovered, is a unifying force—one that brings together people, ideas, and opportunities. It sparks curiosity, ignites a love of learning, and inspires hope for the future.
One of the things I love most about the work I’m leading in my community is that it’s a driver of change, growth, and a better tomorrow. It’s a world of possibility. Maker-centered education fosters collaboration and creativity. It’s a space where imagination and art belong right alongside machine tools, CAD software, and welding torches. It’s where questions like “How can coding and robotics shape the future of fashion and textiles?” are not only asked—but explored. How cool and exciting is that ?!
Maker-centered learning invites educators to bring project-based learning into the classroom, transforming it into a space for inquiry, innovation, and solutions to real-world problems. It opens the door for students who may not connect with traditional teaching methods to engage in meaningful, joyful learning. And let’s be honest—it’s FUN!
With the support of MakerUSA and its partners, I’ve had the opportunity to step into a leadership role where I’ve helped develop and launch a community-driven makerspace at the Tennessee College of Applied Technology. I’ve also been able to collaborate with local organizations like The Maker City to meet community needs and expand maker-centered learning opportunities throughout the region.
Celebrating the TCAT Knoxville Makerspace launch with Ryan Kish, Arconic Foundation President; Indya Kincannon, Knoxville City Mayor; Kelly Chaney, Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) Knoxville President; Becky Russell, TCAT Knoxville Community Engagement Coordinator; Dr. Stephanie Santoso, MakerUSA CEO and Co-Founder.
As I continue to learn and grow, I’m excited to see where the next phase of this work will lead. There’s so much more to explore—and I’m grateful to be on this journey.
