ERHS says a heartfelt goodbye to music teacher Mrs. Sally Wagner, who is retiring after this school year. Wagner began her teaching journey at a young age. Her junior high school band director really influenced her, said Wagner. “He was funny and always had stories. It was the class I really looked forward to,” Wagner explained. In 7th grade, her band director asked her if she could teach a beginner student, and from there she began to teach recorder, piano, guitar, and brass instrument lessons privately to the children of her junior high band director. Later on, her group of students grew to include the children of other teachers. It was evident that teaching was her passion.

However, she did face some challenges. “Nobody told me that women didn’t become band directors, because back then they didn’t. Men were band directs and women were music teachers,” explained Wagner. At the time, she said, women only taught music with pianos in public schools. “I didn’t find out until I went to college that what I wanted to do was really unusual, so I always had to be a little better than everybody else so that they would really look at me seriously. It motivated me to be the best that I could be,” she finished.

She went to undergrad college at the University of Delaware and, after graduating, taught at the Dover air force base elementary school for one year. “I pushed my piano from room to room and taught songs and played games,” Wagner recalled. She then taught for three years at a high school in Smyrna, Delaware as a high school band teacher. She later decided to go to Michigan State for graduate school before arriving at Eleanor Roosevelt High School in the fall of 1981.

At ERHS Wagner teaches four different bands: Wind ensemble, the symphonic band, the concert band and the Roosevelt band. Although she only teaches four classes, her job proves to be just as hard as any other teacher. Her largest class consists of 51 students and she teaches a total of 178 students. 178 students may be a lot to handle but, she says she adores all of her students. “The kids will tell you that I have a zillion stories about crazy things that the band kids do. Those are my favorite memories,” said Wagner.

Some of her students shared some things they will miss about her. “She’s really cool. When you tell her stuff she’ll really listen, and she’s really goofy,” said freshman Floris Kaikai.

Junior Jan Knutson said “I think she’s helped me visualize music better and make me a better musician.”

Freshman Kathleen Rosario said “she has a lot of funny stories.”

Outside of school, Wagner said she is still greatly influenced by music. She goes to concerts, listens to recordings that help her choose what pieces the band will play, and she teaches at summer music camps. “It’s my hobby and it’s also my vocation,” said Wagner. Oddly enough, however, she said does not listen to music on the radio to and from school. “Music all day long would be too much I think, I’m usually just quiet in the car,” said Wagner.

Her life does not only consist of music, though. Her other hobbies include counted cross stitching and gardening. “I like purple flowers, so I have petunias, and vincas, impatiens, and leatrice. Pretty much anything that’s purple or goes with purple,” Wagner explained.

After retiring, she said she will continue in the music field. “I’ll do summer camps, I’ll do guest conducting, and judge festivals if the invitations come. Those are all things I do in addition to teaching here,” said Wagner. Even though she will miss ERHS, she still has a positive outlook toward retiring. “That’s the great thing about music, there are lots of different aspects; even though I am retiring from teaching public schools, I’ll have the options and opportunities to stay involved” said Wagner.