2016 Local hero – Educator

 

 

Being named the Comox Valley’s top educator was a pleasant surprise for Maureen Wagner. But it is not the only honour she has received recently.

On May 12 she was in Ottawa to accept a Prime Minister’s Award for Excellence in Early Childhood Education.

Wagner was one of five recipients from across Canada to be presented with a Certificate of Excellence by PM Justin Trudeau. Wagner teaches at Brooklyn Elementary and has been with the StrongStart BC program for nine years.

StrongStart allows families with young children (under five years) to participate in play-based early learning activities – including stories, music and art. At no cost to families, the drop-in program helps prepare children for success in Kindergarten.

“I have a strong belief in family and community. A big part of my job is helping those families feel like they have a place to belong,” she says, adding her family was the inspiration for her 34-year career in education.

“I come from a very large family and my parents fostered a lot of children. We just had children around us all the time, and I knew I wanted to be in education somehow.”

Wagner was born in Ontario and moved to the Valley 10 years ago, after spending 14 years in the Okanagan. “I find the Comox Valley so friendly. I walk a lot, and it’s nice (that) people look you in the eye when you’re walking down the street.”

While Wagner appreciates being acknowledged by her peers, she has no trouble pinpointing the real highlight of her teaching. “It’s daily when families come and show up at the door of the classroom and they look for me. And when they see me how their faces light up – that’s the best feeling ever.”

Age: 54

Workplace: Brooklyn Elementary and StrongStart BC

Family: Husband Raymond and three grown and married daughters Jocelyn, Samantha and Meghan

Quotable: “I have a strong belief in family and community. A big part of my job is helping those families feel like they have a place to belong.”