Emerson is a Pacific Northwest native who grew up in Washington and Oregon. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from Seattle Pacific University and began his career as a paraeducator in public schools and a behavior interventionist for an ABA company. He later pursued graduate studies at Vanderbilt University, where he earned a Master’s degree in Special Education. Since then, Emerson has taught elementary and middle school special education for four years. In 2025, he attended the Morningside Summer Institute and joined the teaching faculty that fall. Outside of the classroom, Emerson enjoys weightlifting, practicing yoga, seeing live music and stand-up comedy, listening to podcasts, and spending time outdoors—especially near the water.