News Story - Idaho State Journal

For the Journal

POCATELLO - Mary Vagner, superintendent of schools for the Pocatello/Chubbuck school district, has been in education since she graduated from Fontbonne College in St. Louis, Mo., a small Catholic women's college.

Education is her passion, and she says it is the only profession she has ever thought of pursuing.

When she was growing up, Vagner recalls, ''There weren't as many opportunities for women, and the opportunities weren't as diverse. Women thought about being a nurse, a secretary or a teacher.''

But, she is quick to note, ''I absolutely love what I do.'' The best part: ''Every day that you see a student succeed and every day you see a teacher make a connection with a student.''

As superintendent, she says, ''I still get that interaction, but it's not as frequent. We have a wonderful community that supports the education of children. Our teachers and staff are excellent. It takes everybody to support the work of teachers.''

Her journey to her current profession began when she got her master's degree at the University of Kansas and then got her administrative credentials at the University of Wyoming.

Vagner started here career as an elementary school teacher in Kansas City and taught middle school in Wyoming.

She has been a superintendent for 20 years and has been in Pocatello for 18 months.

For Vagner, settling into Pocatello has been relatively smooth.

Her husband found work as a mortgage banker at U.S. Bank, and her son, Jim, is now a math major at Idaho State University.

Vagner's other son, Bill, is attending college in Wyoming.

For now, the family, who moved from Vancouver, Wash., is still getting used to the cold weather.

Let the questions begin:

ISJ: What's your favorite food?

Vagner: Italian food.

ISJ: When (and if) you arrive at the gates of Heaven, what would you like to hear God say to you?

Vagner: I'm glad you're here.

ISJ: If you could choose a new career, what would it be?

Vagner: I might want to be some sort of translator or interpreter in international business.

ISJ: What's your favorite appliance?

Vagner: My cell phone.

ISJ: If you won the lottery, how would you spend the money?

Vagner: I'd see that my kids' education is covered, I'd take care of any remaining debt, secure the future for assisted living and contribute to medical research charity.

ISJ: Who are your three ideal dinner partners?

Vagner: My husband and my two sons, Jim and Bill.

ISJ: What's your favorite sport?

Vagner: Football to watch and golf to play.

ISJ: What was your favorite vacation?

Vagner: When our family went to Cancun, Mexico.

By Brooke Anderson

This document was originally published online on Saturday, January 12, 2008

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