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Before her first year of teaching was finished at St. Margaret Mary Catholic School in Algonquin, Illinois, fourth grade teacher Casandra Wagner '05 had already been awarded the local title of "Teacher of the Year 2006." Wagner, who graduated from Saint Joseph's College with a major in Elementary Education and minor in Business Administration, received the award from the Algonquin Wal-Mart after being nominated by one of her pupils. The honor included $1,000 for St. Margaret Mary Catholic School and $100 for Wagner's classroom.
"I didn't expect the award at all," said Wagner, who tries to lead her students by example. "Teaching is something I feel very natural about, and it really energizes me when the kids catch on. I teach them how to be a part of the world. My goal for them is teamwork because we're all in this together."
In addition to proving herself a commendable teacher, Wagner holds two to three supplemental jobs year-round. She serves as the director of a daycare and also tutors for college courses such as education and computers in an "Elderly Networking Program" tailored to non-traditional students returning to school later in life or after retirement. Wagner is also active in her local community. She volunteers in her church, helping as a second-grade Sunday school teacher, and cares for the aged in her area, assisting them with errands.
While she was a student at SJC, Wagner was just as willing to give her time to clubs and causes, exemplifying the Saint Joseph's College motto, "Involved For Life." She served as president of the Education Club, wrote for the Sports section of The Observer (the campus newspaper), was director of the Student Union Board, helped with Art Club and SJC's chapter of Habitat for Humanity, and was also involved in Intramural Sports.
"Casey was an energetic, dedicated, creative, excellent student," said Associate Professor of Education Dr. Tom Ryan '70. "Casey's success as an alum of our SJC Education Department family is inspirational not only for those who follow her, but also for her professors who continue to realize the significance of our framework: the education of the whole person in mind, heart, and spirit."
Several of Wagner's family members had attended SJC, and she was impressed by the way in which SJC approached the education curriculum. "I knew SJC had a great teaching program, and I knew I'd get out in the field right away," said Wagner, who had realized she wanted to be a teacher during her sophomore year of high school. "I had a lot of opportunities to interact with other people at Saint Joseph's, and this helped me to later deal with parents and conferences."
Ryan credits Wagner as a model for achievement and said, "She was always reaching beyond expectations, always inspirational both to other students and to her professors. Casey's 'personal touch' of kindness, intelligence, and compassion served as a model of what Saint Joseph's College aspires to engender and enhance in its students."
