Niwot High School 2024 Teacher of the Year - Megan Schlagel

On Saturday April 20, several teachers from St. Vrain Valley schools were recognized for their tremendous impact at their respective schools. Megan Schlagel, math teacher and department chair at Niwot High School, was awarded Niwot High's Teacher of the Year for 2023-2024.

Nominations are submitted by parents, students, community members, peers, and administrators. The awards are given through the St. Vrain Valley School District Education Foundation. Two finalists and one Teacher of the Year are awarded for each school. In addition, there are four finalists for the district and one overall SVVSD Teacher of the Year.

"It's truly an honor to be chosen as Niwot High School's Teacher of the Year," said Schlagel. "This award is not just a recognition of my efforts but a testament to the outstanding teamwork and leadership within our math department and Niwot High School. Despite the challenges we've faced this year, including a profound loss and various obstacles, our unwavering commitment to prioritizing our students' well-being and fostering a strong sense of unity has been remarkable."

The school and especially the math department were shaken by the unexpected death of NHS math teacher Dylan Wittstruck just before Christmas.

Schlagel also won this award in 2020 at Niwot High School, but since the district event was canceled that year, it was a special honor for her to be recognized again this year.

Schlagel has been teaching for the past 15 years, with 12 of those at Niwot High, eight of which have been spent as the department chair. "Our parents and leadership are supportive," she said. "Our students are the best. They are inclusive, talented, hard-working, and will be our future leaders."

Schlagel said her passion for teaching math and working with students to help them find success is what gives her energy and drives her life-long love of learning.

NHS principal Eric Rauschkolb said Schlagel's "role as a math teacher is more than a job, it's her calling... [She] makes math fun and engaging, continuously emphasizing how students will use math in their lives. As department chair, she leads her department with integrity, vision, and positivity. We've had several serious challenges within the department this year, and she has been a steady ship in the midst of the storm."

"It is not an overstatement to say that Niwot High School is a much better place because Ms. Schlagel has found her calling here," Rauschkolb said.

In addition to her roles in the math department, Schlagel is also the leader of Link Crew, a group of students dedicated to welcoming incoming ninth-graders to NHS. They provide a welcoming and supportive transition from middle school.

As a graduate of the St. Vrain Valley School District, Schlagel emphasized what a privilege and honor it is to have the opportunity to give back to the community that gave her so much.