With the start of the 2026-2027 school year, Upper School teachers Dr. Hilgert (Spanish) and Mr. Wagner (Mathematics) are no longer the newest members of Academy’s upper school. When they first joined CA last fall, we interviewed both to learn more about their pathways to Academy. Here is a look back at our conversation with them, along with updates on what’s ahead!
Roots and Hobbies
Though both educators are now well-settled at CA, neither had a direct path here. Hilgert grew up in Pataskala and attended Watkins Memorial. After college, he and his wife lived in Ecuador before returning to Ohio.
Wagner was born in North Carolina to Ohio-native parents, but moved back to the Buckeye State as a toddler. “I consider myself to be from Ohio,” Wagner said.
In their free time, family plays a central role for both teachers. “When you become a parent, sometimes your hobbies get put off to the side. Right now, my hobby is raising my kids,” Hilgert said. Even so, he still finds time to enjoy sports and read philosophical texts and philosophical texts, especially on Latin American thought. He is currently reading Transformar no es cancelar by Antonio Gómez Villar.
Wagner echoed this balance between family life and personal interests: “Because of my kids being young, I watch a lot of Frozen,” he said. “[But] over the past couple of years, I’ve spent most of my time reading sci-fi and horror books.”
Backgrounds & Fun Facts
Predating their time in the classroom and at CA, both teachers carry notable life experiences.
While living in South America, Hilgert earned an impressive athletic distinction: “I was the Ecuadorian Rugby Player of the Year,” he said. “I [even received the] award right next to [an Olympic gold medalist,” Jefferson Pérez]!”
Wagner’s fun fact is equally surprising: “I was a security guard once at a Machine Gun Kelly concert!” He said. “He was coming to our college to put on a show… I knew the person who was organizing the event and was asked to be one of the security guards.”
Pathways to Education
Neither teacher followed a straight path to their respective disciplines. Hilgert initially planned to pursue medicine, taking Spanish primarily to communicate with the people he served. After witnessing injustice during a trip to the U.S.–Mexico border, however, his focus shifted to liberation theology and language education. He taught high school in Ecuador following college before completing two master’s degrees and a Ph.D. at OSU. He then spent a decade working at an arts-dedicated university in Ecuador before returning to Ohio.
Conversely, Wagner identified his future early on. “I knew I wanted to be a teacher around the time I was in second grade,” he said, recalling a compassionate teacher who inspired him. “I just had moments where I thought, I want to be like her. As he went through high school, he said, “I really fell in love with math.” Wagner taught math at the Arts and College Preparatory Academy, where he also served as principal of the building. But his primary passion remained in the classroom. “For a lot of people,” Wagner said, “math isn’t their favorite subject, or they find it difficult. I really like to be there to guide them through that journey.”
Finding a Home at Academy
When considering Academy, both teachers highlighted the importance of school culture and connections, critical deciding factors for them.
“CA [has] always been on my radar,” Hilgert noted. Upon applying to teach at Academy, he discovered several existing professional connections: Spanish teacher Señora Chaves had studied under his thesis advisor, Spanish teacher Dr. Jackie was a colleague at OSU, and former Lower School Spanish teacher, Dr. Johnson, had collaborated with him at a conference years prior.
For Wagner, school culture was key. “I didn’t want to just go back to teaching math anywhere. It was important to me to go to a place where I could see a sense of community.”
Stepping into Year Two
Now that Hilgert and Wagner are more seasoned members of the community, both teachers are diving into fresh roles, spaces, and opportunities around campus.
In addition to his Algebra 1, Integrated Algebra 1 & Geometry, and geometry classes, Wagner oversees our Apple Picking Service Event, taking place Sunday, September 27. He is also our liaison with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), to which Academy sends several students annually to explore the wilderness, thanks to a generous scholarship from a CA donor. With a year at CA under his belt, Wagner feels more settled. That comfort extends across campus, especially now that his daughter has started Pre-K. Participating in the Lower School Campout, for example, has given him a chance to see a different side of Academy.
Hilgert teaches Honors Spanish 5 and Spanish 2. His new responsibilities include serving as Global Scholars co-advisor, helping first-year faculty member, Dr. Morrison, get settled at CA, becoming a senior project advisor, and having an advisory of his own. Hilgert has gotten “a better handle” on classroom material and the Block scheduling that is unique to Academy. Hilgert stated, “After the first year, I kind of know what to expect and how things are going to go.”
As they step into new leadership roles and responsibilities across campus, it is evident that Dr. Hilgert and Mr. Wagner are well on their way to creating a memorable second year at Academy.
