As part of National Principals Month, the Colorado Association of School Executives (CASE) highlighted a few outstanding educators from throughout the state, including LPS’ Heidi Wagner. Wagner was the 2016-2017 National Outstanding Assistant Principal of the Year for Colorado (Elementary), awarded by CASE and the Colorado Association of Elementary School Principals (CAESP). Wagner now serves the district as a Literacy TOSA.

“As studies show, principal leadership is second only to strong instruction when it comes to impacting student achievement, so please join us this month in recognizing the hard work and dedication of principal-leaders from across the state,” said CASE in a release for National Principals Month.

As part of the celebration, CASE included the following Q&A to celebrate Wagner and her outstanding career:

How long have you served in your current position? How long in education?
I served in my position as the assistant principal at Eugene Field Elementary in Little Public Schools for three years. I started my career in education as a 2nd grade teacher in Greeley, Colorado 16 years ago. Following my time in Weld County District 6, I was an instructional literacy coach and 1st-4th grade teacher at Crawford Elementary in Aurora Public Schools.

How do the great ideas come from in your organization?
The greatest ideas come from true collaboration, in the trenches; doing the real work with others. As an instructional leader, I believe that my greatest responsibility is to build the capacity and efficacy of others as we work to grow children and better our world.

What advice would you give someone going into a leadership position for the first time?
The advice I would offer to someone going into a leadership position for the first time would be to invest in relationships! The time spent building relationships with kids, families, staff members, district personnel and community members will help make the work more rewarding and provide greater opportunities for collaboration.

Who has had a major impact on you as a leader and why?
I feel truly lucky to have worked with so many amazing professionals on my journey in education so far. The principals I have worked for have allowed me to take on new responsibilities in a safe environment. There are so many qualities of my previous and current leader(s) I hope to display daily.

What is your favorite destination in Colorado?
I appreciate all of the mountain towns near Denver, from Idaho Springs, Keystone, Breckenridge to Avon; each offers their unique characteristics and make weekend getaways wonderful winter, spring, summer or fall!

More information about National Principals Month