Many teachers at Cardozo enjoy what they do, but not all knew from very early on that they wanted to be educators. However, Spanish teacher Ms. Waga knew from a young age that teaching would be part of her career path.
At first, Ms. Waga, who has been teaching for 22 years, rejected the idea of teaching even though she wanted to become a teacher like her parents. “When I was a little girl, I wanted to be a teacher, but I was kind of embarrassed to say I wanted to be like them,” she admitted. However, that didn’t stop her from becoming the amazing teacher she is now.
At Cardozo, Ms. Waga has always taught Spanish, a language that’s not native to her but has become close to her heart. Originally from Latvia, where her native languages are Russian and Latvian, she brings empathy to her Spanish classes, noticing the challenges her students face when learning a new language.
She emphasizes cultural aspects rather than just vocabulary and grammar to keep her students engaged. “I want them to see that Spanish-speaking cultures are different and unique,” she explained. “My goal is for them to love Spanish culture the way I came to love it.”
Reflecting on her career, Ms. Waga finds pride in her journey as an educator and believes each day brings new learning experiences. “Every day, I learn something that excites me,” she shared. “The journey itself is my proudest achievement.”
Beyond teaching, she contributes to the Cardozo community through educational leadership. She regularly attends meetings to stay informed on educational initiatives, then shares that information with her Spanish department. Additionally, she collaborates with the superintendent to find ways to improve teaching strategies at Cardozo, and also ensures that her department stays informed.
Outside of school, Ms. Waga has a love for volleyball, reading, and traveling — interests that bring her a sense of enjoyment and inspiration. When thinking about her future goals, she has a simple yet powerful focus: “I want to become better every day, every year, and to make a real impact on my students.”
Her advice to students? Persevere. “Don’t give up, because if you quit, you’ll never know the outcome,” she stated. Her words show that she wants all her students to strive and this shows her huge impact on students.
When asked what she loves most about teaching and being part of Cardozo, Ms. Waga emphasized the joy of learning new things about people every day. “The community here feels like a family,” she said, adding that it’s the connections with her students and colleagues that make her journey so rewarding.
Ms.Waga’s story reflects her deep passion for teaching, her commitment and her impact to students, and her strong belief in the power of perseverance. Cardozo is fortunate to have a teacher dedicated to inspiring students and making a meaningful difference in the lives of her students.
