Amber Heern supports 4-H youth development in the Illinois counties of Bond, Clinton, Jefferson, Marion and Washington. Her background is in elementary education – and prior to joining the Illinois Extnesion team, she spent 15 years working with third- through fifth-grade students at Trico Elementary School in Campbell Hill. While there, Amber also acted as the after-school program coordinator. Amber holds a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education, along with a master’s degree as a reading specialist from SIUC. In 2020, she obtained her National Board Certification.