Grade 5 is the transition between relatively self-contained classrooms and the freedom and responsibilities of Middle School. Mrs. Vagoun, who teaches this grade, uses the year to inculcate in her students attitudes and skills that will stand them in good stead throughout their academic careers.

Mrs. Vagoun was born in Kansas and matriculated from Boston University with a degree in Communications. After graduation she worked for a non-profit with low income children and did service work with Literacy Volunteers of America. It was her four-year teaching relationship with an adult who could not read that eventually inspired her to become a teacher. Mrs. Vagoun went on to receive a Master of Science Degree in Education from Johns Hopkins University, working at the Lab School in DC part time. She has been a part of the GHS faculty for twenty-five years. She enjoys hiking with her husband and adult sons, travelling, and playing pickleball. And, as her former students could tell you, she’s been known to unwind from a busy teaching week by crocheting and watching Netflix.