Meet Alum Renee Wagner
Renee Wagner - Class of 2021
After 13 years as an elementary teacher and eight years as an instructional coach, Renee decided to apply and accept a position with the Illinois Federation of Teachers (union). She is now a Field Service Director, supporting teachers and school-related personnel as a state-level representative. She supports negotiating collective bargaining agreements, problem-solving grievances, preparing for arbitrations, and other labor/management situations that arise in the workplace.
We sat down with Renee to chat about her career and NLU experience:
1. What did you study at NLU? Why did you decide to pursue this program?
I completed the Teacher Leader Endorsement at NLU. I decided to pursue this endorsement to gain insight into what it takes to lead teachers and what best practices can be implemented to foster a positive leadership environment. I felt that completing this endorsement would open up future opportunities in leadership roles inside and outside of my school district.
2. Describe your career path. What are you doing now and how did your educational degree facilitate that?
I originally completed my bachelor's degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Psychology and achieved middle school endorsements in Language Arts and Social Science from Governors State University. I went on to gain a Master's degree in Teaching and Leadership from St. Xavier University. I taught using these degrees for 12 years and then utilized my Teaching and Learning endorsement to fulfill the role of an Instructional Coach and Mentor Program Facilitator for eight years. I left teaching altogether after twenty-one years in the schools to become a Field Service Director for the Illinois Federation of Teachers and expanded my role to working with leaders who lead others in their unions.
3. What do you love most about your job?
I love advocating for honest, hard-working members of the education community. I enjoy the professional conversations I have with leaders that are based on trust and positive relationships. It helps that I was in their shoes in some instances and that I can easily relate to what they're experiencing and guide them to solutions that can be made collaboratively with their administration members.
4. What in your career has been most rewarding since graduating from NLU? What’s been most rewarding is seeking and accepting a new position with an organization I have been affiliated with my entire professional career. I now work with the people who I learned from and respect. I am constantly challenged and learning new information that helps me do my job better. I have great colleagues who support me and are always willing to brainstorm and answer questions that I have about situations that arise.
5. Tell us about a time in a specific class that shaped the way you approach your work.
I recall my instructor, Dr. Renee Gugel, realizing that we were all pretty burnt out during the pandemic. When we had to return to work, and deadlines felt tight. She reevaluated the projects to better accommodate the struggles we were having in that class. She was flexible and positive. She was empathetic. That is when I knew I wanted to be that type of leader. One who holds those qualities as their foundation and stays true to them.
6. What is a piece of advice you would offer aspiring students/people in your field?
It's hard work, but worth the time and effort. The amount of practical ideas, strategies, and information you learn while in this program is amazing! You will be a better educator and leader once you have completed these courses with the instructors. The work isn't easy. You have to invest time and effort, but you will not regret it.
