GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Since she was about 11 or 12 years old, Lillian Fisher has always known she wanted to be a teacher.

"I love kids, I love kids so much," she told 13 ON YOUR SIDE. "They're the light of my life."

And as she hopes to soon graduate from Grand Valley State University, where she says she's in her fifth year as an elementary education, the passion is still there.

"You should see my car right now."

Featuring a backseat full to the brim with books, math supplies and even Barbies for the children she'd work with, it carried all the marks of an educator's vehicle.

" This is what I'm meant for," she said.

She's part of a group whom state leaders have been actively trying to attract, as it faces an ongoing teacher shortage. But on top of the challenges she may already have

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