The Wagner Community School has a new fourth grade teacher, Danieka Heckenlaible, this 2023-2024 school year. Danieka grew up in Wagner and graduated from WCS, which is something that she thinks her students would be surprised to know about her. She comes to WCS after being a kindergarten teacher at Longfellow Elementary in Mitchell. In the short time that she has been a staff member at WCS, she has really enjoyed the atmosphere of the school. Both colleagues and students have been extremely welcoming to her. Mrs. Heckenlaible’s classroom goals for the year are to build strong relationships with her students and to find more creative lessons.

When Danieka is not teaching, she enjoys singing, reading, camping, and spending time with her friends and family. In her free time, she likes to spend time with her husband, Trey, daughter, Sivelen, and mini golden doodle, Nola. Their family is expanding as they will be welcoming another baby in February. Her favorite movie is Breakthrough and one item on her bucket list is to visit Nashville, TN.