Ten years ago, Emily Luker brought with her to the Missouri Secretary of State's office 32 years of teaching experience, as well as an artistic approach to baking.
To fourth-grade classrooms across the state, she is the historical educator for the archive. She helps teachers plan and schedule their annual visits to the state Capitol, a culmination of their emphasis on Missouri history.
To her coworkers at the Kirkpatrick Office Building, she's known for her fresh strawberry cake, which auctions for up to $75 during the charitable campaign, and for her incredibly detailed cupcakes for bake sales.
Luker retired as a high school art teacher. Developing programming for the archive taps into her other interest in history.
"I've learned more about Missouri history working here," she said.
For example, as she developed curriculum for Missouri teachers, which is posted on the secretary of state's website, she was introduced to the tradition of dueling.
"That was my favorite; Missouri was a hotbed," she said.
Archives Alive is in its 13th season. Since 2005, it has doubled the number of students served, reaching more than 5,400 with 27 performances in 2016.
Many teachers will make the Archives Alive program their first call and schedule the rest of their visits to the Capital City around it, Luker said.
She looks at school calendars, including spring break and MAP testing, trying to schedule to most accessible seven days for the program, presented by the Second Chance Foundation.
In 2011, Luker enjoyed helping write a Civil War-specific script, which ran through 2015. Last year, she had a hand in redrafting the original Missouri history script, from native tribes to World War II.
A teacher survey showed the teachers appreciated this all-inclusive program because it best fits with their curriculum, she said.
At Archives Alive, students not only hear Missouri history, there's dancing, singing, sword fighting and more.
"We realize kids need to be interactive," Luker said. "The more senses you involve, the more students remember it."
One of Luker's greatest assets to her position is that she likes students.
"I appreciate their energy," she said.
Luker also coordinates the once-a-month speakers series geared toward adults. She researches authors writing about Missouri history to find new program topics.
The only criteria is the topic must be related to Missouri history, she said. The October program is Cole County at War based on Jeremy Amick's book, and the November program takes an archaeological turn looking at local Osage sites.
"I enjoy this part; so many of them are giving with their time and expertise," she said.
Luker's attention currently is honed on identifying primary sources the archive holds, which are available online and could be used by schoolchildren for National History Day projects.
As the theme changes annually, she adds or rotates primary source suggestions. This year's theme is "Taking a Stand in History."
Luker has a few suggested topics relating to the theme, like women's suffrage or prohibition. But the important thing to make sure students are aware of and know how to access primary sources, she said.