When asked what motivated her to become a teacher, Ms. Hager said, “I was inspired to teach science by my fourth and eighth grade teachers in elementary school. Both had very different teaching styles, but the love of science showed through. By the time I graduated high school and entered college, I knew that I wanted to be a science teacher so that I could inspire other students. I know that science is not a favorite subject of most students, but if I encourage just one student to strive for a science career, it is worth it. I started teaching at Connections Academy because I liked the flexibility it gives students and how it pushes the students to be advocates of their own learning.”
In her free time, Ms. Hager likes to hike and camp with her family. Because they live near Kings River in California, they often spend time fishing, hiking, and swimming in the river.