By Taryn Vanderford

Published: Nov. 30, 2023 at 10:21 AM CST

CRETE, Neb. (KOLN) - Each month during the school year, 10/11 and Doane University present a Golden Apple Award to a deserving teacher. This month’s winner is a Spanish teacher at Crete High School. In a predominantly Hispanic high school, Angie Wagoner wants to be an advocate for students and their culture.

We surprised Mrs. Wagoner in her classroom. On hand, were Mrs. Wagoner’s husband, who also teaches at Crete High, and assistant principal, Marcy Harrifeld. She nominated Mrs. Wagoner for the award.

“One of the most remarkable qualities of Angie is her unwavering commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive classroom atmosphere. She goes above and beyond to ensure that every student feels valued, respected, and supported.” Excerpt of nomination letter from Crete High School Assistant Principal Marcy Harrifeld

“I think Mrs. Wagoner is just one of those teachers that really shines,” Harrifeld said. “She goes above and beyond for her students, and her school community. Any time you see any activity, she’s involved.”

Mrs. Wagoner is originally from Lansing, Iowa - just a bridge away from Wisconsin.

“I did my student teaching in Omaha, following my husband, because that was where my husband was doing his student teaching,” Wagoner said. “We always thought we would head back to Iowa, but my husband got hired in Crete in 2008, and I finished my student teaching and got hired in Crete in 2009.”

Their original plan was to stay up to five years. But now Mrs. Wagoner is in year 15 at Crete. They are now raising their two daughters in this southeast Nebraska community. Mrs. Wagoner feels she is making a difference in a student population that’s more than 60 percent Hispanic.

“I feel like I have one of the more important jobs at Crete, because I can bridge the gap between students who come from native speaking families, or who are speakers of Spanish themselves, with students who want to learn and want to communicate with their friends,” Wagoner said.

Mrs. Wagoner really tries to have an interactive experience with her students in the classroom. And beyond that, every couple of years, students can study abroad with her in Costa Rica.

“Since 2017, I’ve been going every two years, except for a little hiccup with Covid,” Wagoner said. “It’s a 10 day trip where the kids get to a chance to stay with a family, and go to a language school. So they get to be immersed in the culture. They get to practice the language, but we also do touristy things, too. We go to a beach, we surf, do zip-lining, and we do a trip to the mountains, and visit the hot springs.”

And she’s on a mission to help the community embrace its diversity.

“I know that not everyone is going to love Spanish, but my goal is to give them something that they can use in the future,” Wagoner said. “I also try to be an advocate for students and their culture, and help them find their true selves, and figure out who they are, and help the school and the district support them in all they want to do and all they do.”

If you know a teacher who’d be perfect for this honor like Angie Wagoner, nominate them here.

Crete Public Schools

Golden Apple Award: Spanish teacher enriches her school and community

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