There was only one career choice from Heritage Elementary School’s Deb Wascher.
“I wanted to be a teacher from an early age,” Wascher said. “I would line up my stuffed animals, my pets, my little cousins and play school.”
And there has only been one place for Wascher to teach.
“I love the Heritage district,” she said. I am an alumni of ABL (Allerton, Broadlands, Longview), and my son is a Heritage alumni.
“We are a family at Heritage. We laugh, work, and play together, cry and support each other. We want the best for our students and strive to accomplish it.”
Wascher began her career teaching at a nursery school in Villa Grove before taking a position as a music teacher at Heritage 21 years ago.
When music education was switched from a daily routine to something students attended once a week, Wascher moved into first grade where she has been for the last eight years.
“I love that I get to learn with my students,” she said. “I love the ‘lightbulb’ moment when you are teaching a concept and the student gets it.”
Wascher hopes that she ignited a passion of learning for the students who spent time in her classroom.
“I hope that my students will become lifelong learners and develop into good citizens,” she said. “I hope they will know what a special person they are and that they have talents they can share with others.”
Being a part of the Heritage School District, Wascher said that she treasures every program and open house, celebrating birthdays, special moments and holidays each year.
“It is wonderful to go into a store or business and hear ‘Mrs. Wascher, do you remember me?’ ” she said.
Wascher said that while she will go camping, travel, even visit her son’s family in Sweden during retirement, she still intends to be part of the Heritage District during retirement.
“I plan to sub at school,” she said.
