Emily Hageman

What year did you start teaching at Siouxland Christian?

2013, if you can believe it!

Why did you want to become a teacher? Why do you teach at Siouxland Christian?

I have always loved music and theatre--and who doesn't love getting to share what they love? But the moment that I started my student teaching, I knew I would be an educator for life. I love engaging with young people, I love helping open their thought processes. I love encouraging, mentoring, and empowering.

There is no school in the nation that I would rather teach at than Siouxland Christian. These students are beyond dedicated, hard-working, and compassionate. Every day I am inspired and I feel so hopeful for our future.

How do you incorporate the Siouxland Christian mission statement into your teaching?

Christ is at the absolute center of my classroom--my goal as an educator is to help each student reach the highest potential they possibly can (and beyond)! I strive to empower students by showing them that they are capable of doing difficult things!

If you could pass on any wisdom to your students, what would you share?

In theatre, I emphasize the three principles of empathy, self-awareness, and healthy emotional expression. I believe that it is our job to be curious about why we do/say the things we do/say. We are the only person we are with 24/7 from the moment we are born until the moment we die so we MUST understand who we are.

I also encourage my students to truly understand others by engaging in meaningful empathetic experiences. This goes beyond "how would I feel if I was this person?" No, instead, you must take into account the context of the person's life, what their history and past involve, and how that informs their actions and thoughts. Compassion is the key to ministry--and only when we truly love others can we offer them the freeing power of Christ in a meaningful way.

In which other teacher's class would you like to enroll, just for a day?

ALL OF THEM!! Seriously, is this an option? Dr. Laurich, may I? Oh, to learn Chemistry from Mrs. Ball and Biology from Mrs. Thomas 2.0 and Math from Mrs. VanDerVliet... I'm terrified of math, but I have a feeling Mrs. VanDerVliet just might make me like it!

What inspires you?

My students. Always and forever. Their hearts, their minds, their souls. I love my students more than I can even begin to put into words.