“Day one.” A phrase I repeated on loop for hours before deciding to get out of a bed and get ready. It was a new school with new people and a bunch of classes with rooms I didn’t recognize. Easy.

First hour was science, how boring. I walked in, took a seat with a group of people I didn’t recognize and waited for class to start. I found out the teacher was new as well. He walked in and gave the dull safety science talk they all give, except his was different. In addition to the poor, innocent chair, he whipped across the room to demonstrate inappropriate behavior, something was different. He showed a passion for the world of science and cared for the people around him.  

Over the course of the year, throughout tests, presentations, and lectures, he related to children and made science interesting. His energetic, enthusiastic, and engaging style of teaching was off the charts; it changed the way I look at the world of science.

During the early years of middle school, whether it was Merton or Richmond, I couldn’t have cared if I turned out to be a doctor or a burger-flipper at McDonald’s, but all of that changed. I enjoyed learning the atomic number for Rubidium is 37 or how potential energy converts to kinetic and thermal energy. Most importantly, I learned how to fit into the new school.

It’s the little things I remember. From the daily music to the simple questions I asked, Mr. Wagner answered each and every time with the same smile. 

From the bottom of my heart, thank you, Mr. Wagner. You helped me get used to the new school and the new life path that I would embark on. You are one of the greatest, if not the greatest teacher I’ve ever had the pleasure of having. I love your friendly, devoted, and knowledgeable energy. I only hope the best for you and hope that you can continue to inspire the incredibly lucky children that come through your classroom. It’s too bad I can’t take day one over again.