LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

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Anne Hageman

Position: Retiring Web & Digital Communications Teacher
School: Topeka Center for Advanced Learning and Careers
School District: Topeka Public Schools
City, State: Topeka, KS

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Music that Describes Anne

Anne Hageman was nominated by her principal, Dr. Timothy Murrell.

"There are many adjectives that could be used to describe Anne Hageman, but I will use four that aptly apply to the approach she employed during her thirty-nine year teaching career: passionate, dedicated, inspirational, caring," said Dr. Murrell. "The instruction in her classroom has always been both profession-based and student-centered, and she consistently provided personalized instruction to her students."

Due to her content knowledge and caring attitude, Mrs. Hageman has made a positive difference in the lives of many of her students. This is evidenced by the number of former, successful students who have remained in touch with her over the years. Many of her students who remained in the local community have consistently served as guest speakers for the Web and Digital Communications Pathway, agreed to mentor Pathway students, or provided internship opportunities. On numerous occasions, former students have noted that the technical and employability skills learned and practiced in Mrs. Hageman's classroom led to gainful employment. Students knew they could always contact her for assistance with projects or advice pertaining to personal issues. When Mrs. Hageman made the transition from Topeka High School to the Topeka Center for Advanced Learning and Careers (TCALC), many of her students followed her. She was always committed to her students, and vice versa.

Mrs. Hageman is a consummate professional. On most days, she was the first teacher to enter the school building and the last to leave. In addition to being dedicated to her students, she was unflinchingly loyal to Topeka Public Schools, especially TCALC. She was a major cheerleader for TCALC and its programs. She never failed to invite people to visit the school to witness profession-based, project-based learning in action. Visitors took notice of Mrs. Hageman's ability to connect with her students, her knowledge in the field of computing, and her willingness to learn new concepts and programs for her students' benefit. As a result, she received the Aspirations in Computing Educator Award (2020 Western Missouri & Kansas Affiliate Winner) from the National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT). This year, and for the previous five years, one of her pathway students received a NCWIT computing award.

"After thirty-nine years as a classroom teacher, it was difficult for Anne to close her classroom door for the last time," said Dr. Murrell. "As a true facilitator of learning, she leaves a legacy that will be difficult for anyone to match. She was a teacher whose work exemplified the fundamental importance of building relationships with her students. She wanted them to become skilled technicians and, most importantly, caring, successful, contributing 21st century citizens."

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Comments (8)

Danielle Cottrell Posted over a year ago

Finding the right words to explain the impact that Mrs. Hageman made in my life over the years, we have known each other is almost impossible, and this entry will not do our relationship justice. In short, Mrs. Hageman is the reason I want to become a teacher. Teaching always interested me; however, I aspire to care even half the amount she did for all the students who walked through her door - and even some she never had in class. Since she was always the first teacher in the building and always stayed late, her door was always open. Mrs. Hageman was always my go-to gal when I needed a listening ear, as she was for many students. Building relationships should have been Mrs. Hageman’s motto because that was always her number one priority. Not only with students, but with community members, staff throughout the building, and the families of her students. After teaching for almost 40 years, she’s bound to meet some families more than once, and getting to know them happens over time. Unlike most, Mrs. Hageman remembers the little facts and interests about her students in a way I had never seen from a teacher before. She designed her curriculum in a way to learn about each student individually while meeting standards and benchmarks her supervisors require. Now, studying to be a future educator, I’m impressed and hope to achieve the same with my lessons. Mrs. Hageman goes the extra mile to remember the little things she learns that differentiate students or siblings from one another, which every younger sibling can appreciate. Mrs. Hageman also gave me a whole new perspective on how different my future could be compared to my parents. My family dynamic is broken, and I grew up in poverty, facing many situations and struggles that a young child should not have to. However, I graduated from Topeka High School in 2016 more involved in my community than I ever thought possible due to the opportunities available to me through Mrs. Hageman’s dedication to helping students better their lives. I was enrolled in almost every class taught by Mrs. Hageman at THS throughout my high school career, and there were a lot. The skills that I learned in her classes have proved more valuable than most other things I learned in high school, and the work I did during high school is still some of my personal favorites. Many projects always find their way on my resume, although they may be a tad dated. Nonetheless, I went to college with many skills far above the students I met in the computer program. Mrs. Hageman and I spent a lot of time together, inside and outside of class. She helped me become one of two high school members of the Leadership Greater Topeka Class of 2016, and win the NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing (Western Missouri & Kansas Affiliate Award) in 2016. We went to board meetings and spent countless hours planning and coordinating multiple events to interest freshmen and sophomores into computers. Yet, the number of hours that other students and I spent planning and meeting with community members to create internships, professional learning opportunities, and build relationships for ourselves and future students is a fraction of the time and energy Mrs. Hageman devoted to her students. During my senior year, we even created the first homecoming float to represent the THS computer department. My graduating class and many before me made many memories with Mrs. Hageman that we will remember for the rest of our lives. In more ways than I can count, Mrs. Hageman has changed my life. I never knew when I enrolled in integrated computer applications as a freshman and met Mrs. Hageman that she would alter the course of my high school career. I am genuinely thankful to have had Mrs. Hageman as a teacher.

Zach Hastings Posted over a year ago

This has taken me a while to write as I don't know where to begin, and I'm not sure I will even be able to describe the impact Mrs. Hageman has made on my life. To say that Mrs. Hageman has changed my life would be the understatement of the century. I entered her classroom as a struggling sophomore. I slept in class, didn't pay attention, and didn't do my homework. Overall, I was unmotivated, had no life direction, and had no desire for learning. At this point, I wasn't even sure I was going to graduate high school. Although it sounds cliché, despite my shortcomings, Mrs. Hageman believed in me like no one in my life had done before. My time with Mrs. Hageman changed my entire outlook on life. Mrs. Hageman showed me that I wasn't worthless and that by applying myself I could excel in my schoolwork. School was no longer something to dread because I had found success in my courses. Through her classes and learning opportunities, I went from a shy, unmotivated student, to eventually being the webmaster for the school website my senior year. Within a few semesters under Mrs. Hageman's guidance, I arrived at school early and stayed late to work on schoolwork and do additional projects. Some days I would even beat Mrs. Hageman to the building! Mrs. Hageman's effects on my life reach far beyond the classroom, however. After leaving her program, I went on to graduate college with a degree in Computer Science, and through connections I made from her classes, secure an internship during college with a very respectable company that I am fortunate to still work at today. My internship was only possible because of Mrs. Hageman introducing me to an employer at that company while in her class. My life has truly changed for the better, and Mrs. Hageman has been the main driving factor in that change, even to this day. The lessons and skills I've learned from her keep me motivated to strive for a better future. I simply cannot put into words the appreciation I have of the time I spent in her classroom and changes in me that she inspired. To many of her students and colleagues, Mrs. Hageman is more than an educator; she is a friend. Her passion for her work and her students is one of the most inspiring things I've witnessed, and she is one of the hardest working people I have ever met. I honestly cannot think of anyone that would be more deserving to be called a Life Changer. I may just be one story, but I am one of many similar stories to be told by her students. Mrs. Hageman has impacted thousands of people over her lifetime; I am honored to be one of them.

Emilie Boutry Posted over a year ago

Mrs.Hagen is a true example of a teacher that goes above and beyond to make an impact in students lives! It is clear that she truly cares about the students not only about teaching academics. She puts in the time to plan curriculum that encourages students to develop the confidence and life skills to be successful in the real world!

Madison Cobb Posted over a year ago

Mrs.Hageman is the most supportive and thoughtful teacher I have met. She has made a long-lasting impact not only on my life, but the lives of so many. Not knowing her for the past 4 years would have been a nightmare.

Jada Martin Posted over a year ago

Mrs. Hageman is one of the best teachers out there. She is all for the students and she does whatever she can to prepare them for a successful future. She was my teacher for only a couple years but made a huge impact on my life and helped me figure out my plans for the future.

Carol A Stormer Posted over a year ago

I have no words, only tears of joy when I think about the love and care she gave to my 3 children, especially my oldest. She looked at my oldest and saw him for who he was and what he was capable of. Anne encouraged him and taught him well. She helped raise him up. She helped to grow his self esteem. She was always there to guide him. Except for me, she was his loudest and most enthusiastic cheerleader. She let him blossom into himself and provided a safe place to do it. I have never been so thankful for a teacher to come into our lives, like I am, Anne.

Jeanie Schuler Posted over a year ago

Anne will never tell you about her accomplishments, rather she will focus attention on her students’ successes. She provides expert information then challenges students to learn, stretch and achieve their dreams. A more caring educator cannot be found.

Perla Medina Posted over a year ago

I took ms.hagemans class for 3 years and absolutely loved it. She pushed me out of my comfort zone and never made me feel like I was not noticed. She grew a confidence in me like no other. I noticed that a lot of the kids also had similar expierence. They left with more confidence than when they arrived she’s an amazing person that is passionate about what she does everyday.