When Roane State freshman Felicia Fowler is teaching students about rocks, she wants to do more than just lecture.

"I want everything to be hands-on," she said."Kids get excited when they see things. That's how I want to teach."

Fowler will be able to earn her bachelor's degree in elementary education without having to leave Anderson County. She is in the "2+2" program at Roane State's Oak Ridge Campus.

The program enables students to complete a two-year associate's degree at Roane State, transition into Tennessee Tech's elementary education program, and then finish their bachelor's degrees while continuing to take classes at the Oak Ridge Campus.

Going to Roane State keeps Fowler close to her mother. The rest of Fowler's family lives in Chicago, Wisconsin and Virginia.

The 2007 Anderson County High School graduate also works, providing after-school help to students at Norris Elementary School.

"I absolutely love it," she said. "I don't even consider it a job."

When she is finished with school, Fowler said, she thinks she would like to teach fourth grade or kindergarten.

"I really like kids," Fowler said. "I really like trying to help people."