GOES SLL Teacher and Pediatric Cancer Survivor Riley Wagner Takes Bridal Portraits in Hospital that Cured Her

January 13, 2023
GOES SLL Teacher and Pediatric Cancer Survivor Riley Wagner Takes Bridal Portraits in Hospital that Cured Her

Grand Oaks Elementary SLL/SPED teacher Riley Wagner spent much of early childhood at Children’s Medical Center in Dallas when she was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma when she was just six weeks old. 

Wagner spent months in chemotherapy treatments and underwent major surgery in 1999. She would eventually be cured of her cancer but would continue to visit Children’s for routine checkups for the rest of her life to ensure no evidence of the disease was found. 

While she may call Tomball home now as a Special Education teacher at GOES since 2021, she did revisit her family in Dallas in preparation for her wedding and to take her bridal portraits. On the drive to her bridal portraits, and while passing by Children’s Medical Center with her mother, Wagner had a genius idea. 

Wagner and her mother popped into the hospital lobby and were able to capture a few symbolic and memorable photos on an iPhone with Wagner dressed in her bridal gown. 

“It was actually spontaneous, but the symbolism is really just coming back to my roots,” she said. “I grew up in those walls. The staff there were family. It felt really full circle for me to go back “home” after getting to a life stage that seemed impossible way back then. I was six weeks old when I was diagnosed, so coming back, graduating from Texas A&M University, preparing for marriage, now teaching, just felt so fulfilling.”

Wagner has truly come full circle. Fast forward now to 2023 … she is a shining star in the classroom, educating students. Growing up, she always wanted to be an oncology nurse, but quickly realized that her passion was to help children. 

“I wanted to help children who didn’t have a voice be able to speak for themselves. This inspired me to pursue teaching Special Education. Also, after substitute teaching in Tomball ISD, I always found myself drawn to SPED positions. After these experiences, I realized I didn’t want to be anywhere else.”

As a pediatric cancer survivor, Wagner has lasting memories of her doctors and nurses truly caring about her well-being. And now, Wagner is paying it forward by inspiring and motivating young children.

“My kids are phenomenal. I learn so much from them every day. Also, my coworkers are everything! We are a strong team and I couldn’t imagine doing it without them.”