Susan Wagner, Awarded and Honored for Teaching Students to Solve Future Problems
Susan Wagner once saw signs of struggle in the eyes of a child she thought may be gifted. She gave that child a chance to join a gifted classroom where the student experienced academic excellence for the first time. Ms. Wagner introduced that child to Future Problem Solving, guided the student through years of participation in FPS, counseled the student throughout her master’s program and early years of teaching, encouraged her to become a member of the affiliate’s board of directors, and convinced her to join the ranks of international evaluators. In the same way, Susan nurtured her affiliate program. From Susan’s many engaging strategies for coaching students, to serving on the board of directors, presenting at numerous state and national conferences, and taking on the role of affiliate director for Missouri, Sue Wagner continues to show her passion for Future Problem Solving and the benefits it brings to students. At the International Conference, her warmth and caring have long helped the scenario writers become comfortable with the writing team they are just meeting. And for four years, the Board of Trustees were blessed to have Sue’s quiet wisdom as she served as the chair of the Personnel Committee, working and reorganizing the personnel handbook and implementing efficient ways of gathering data. Although recently retired as an affiliate director, Sue continues to support the FPS in many ways. In the words of that former student that Sue took under her wing, “Always working selflessly and tirelessly, Susan Wagner is not only a model director, but an inspirational teacher, coach, and friend.” These are just some of the reasons why Susan Wagner is the recipient of the John Daughtrey Memorial Award. John Daughtrey was the director of the North and South Carolina Gifted and Talented programs for six years and was a dedicated advocate of Future Problem Solving. The John Daughtrey Memorial Award is given in honor of outstanding directors, evaluators or staff in the Future Problem Solving Program.
Susan Wagner, instructor of the Gifted and Talented Program at Avenue City School, will be honored at the 31st Annual Gifted Association of Missouri Conference in Columbia, Missouri on October 21, 2012. At the banquet numerous nomination letters were be read in honor of Ms. Wagner’s dedication and commitment to the state of Missouri’s Gifted and Talented Population. Ms. Wagner will be the recipient of the Dede Smith Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $250.00 and the John Daughtrey Memorial Award.
During Ms. Wagner’s tenure at Avenue City School, she has coached and mentored many of the student population. Because of her dedication and commitment to Avenue City School, the students have brought home numerous state, national, and international awards,