Professor Cedar Rapids honored with the prize named for the late Perry Director

Cedar Rapids, Iowa (KCG) – Jenny Wagner, a teacher at Cedar Rapids Kennedy High School, was honored with inaugural mentors Dan Marburger in preventing violence (MVP), Cedar Rapids Community School District said Monday.

Recognition from North Iowa University Patricia A. Tomson Center for Prevention of Violence Honors Wagner’s special dedication to encourage safer school environments through education to prevent violence.

The prize is named for Dan Marburger, the director of the Perry High School, who died after being shot during a shot at school in January 2024. The authorities say that Marburger saved lives during the shot, by involving the shooter.

The new annual award recognizes the people and teams that have shown an unwavering commitment to the MVP Strategies program, a national recognized initiative that train students and educators to address interpersonal violence and intimidation issues.

“Dan was a champion of the MVP Strategies program and illustrated the values through his beliefs, words and actions,” said Alysa Mozak, the director of PATCVP. “We hope to honor his huge legacy by creating this award on his behalf.”

CRCSD says Wagner, a teacher of English arts in special education in Kennedy, led the MVP program since its establishment in school in 2017. Under its leadership, Kennedy’s MVP leaders worked to promote a culture of safety, respect. and the proactive intervention bystander.

“It is difficult to articulate what it means to receive the recognition in honor of Mr. Marburger’s heroic courage and the final sacrifice to protect his students,” Wagner said. “With the prevention of violence, the challenges may seem overwhelming and it is often felt that we are working in a small number, hoping to make a difference that is not always visible immediately. This prize states that the dedication and courage shown by our mentors Kennedy students in the 2017 violence prevention leaders really matter. “

The MVP consultative team from Perry High School will receive the inaugural award of the team, recognizing their contributions to preventing violence in their school community.