Stephanie Krueger grew up in a small town in Southern Ontario in a neighbourhood with very little diversity. But she was always curious and wanted to learn more about different cultures and traditions, which led her to consider a career in the Foreign Service.
However, an unexpected adventure eventually pointed her toward becoming a teacher.
Growing up, Krueger felt most people were similar to one another.
“It was a nice town, a great town, and a good childhood, and it was a good place to grow up,” she said.
She felt the town lacked diversity, but she was curious about the world and sought to learn about others.
When thinking about her professional life, she thought a career in the foreign service would be the right fit for her—she saw herself as an international diplomat who bridges gaps between other countries and Canada.
Krueger also craved an adventure—to travel and see what’s beyond Canada.
Adventure leads to teaching
During her time at university, an opportunity arose for her to teach at an international school in Managua, Nicaragua. She grabbed her suitcase and opened the door.
To her, it was a life-changing experience.
Though at first she was skeptical about this being her calling, she eventually pursued a career in teaching and forgot all about diplomatic life.
Señora Krueger
Krueger now teaches at Holy Trinity Academy (HTA) in Okotoks, Alta. It’s home to over 1,000 students with a mission to balance Christian living with academics.
She is known as Señora Krueger, a Spanish teacher with a warm nature who is seen by many students as a second mom at HTA.
She finds that no two student stories are the same, especially for newcomers to Canada. While one may be happy about the new opportunities in Canada, another may be lost because they miss the life they had back home.
No matter how hard it is to reach students’ hearts, she never gives up.
Former students remember Krueger fondly
Sofhia Concepcion, a former student of Krueger’s, recalls the time that she first walked the halls of a Canadian high school.
“The first time I saw her, I liked her already ‘cause she is very welcoming. She really pushes to get to know you and makes sure that you don’t get left out in school,” Concepcion said.
Since 2014, Krueger has been the coordinator of “Mission Costa Rica,” a yearly outreach program that works with the local Church in the community of Cristo Rey in San Jose.
“I am always humbled by the service that others [did] and the work and the ability that people have to serve,” she said.
Chris Mueller is a former HTA student who was also part of the 2025 mission. For him, the trip was an eye-opening experience and having Krueger as the lead was key.
“Oh my gosh, she is absolutely phenomenal. I mean, she does so much behind the scenes,” Mueller said.
Krueger says the trip is different every year—often heart-warming, but sometimes heartbreaking.
Krueger returns to Costa Rica
Every time she sets foot on Costa Rica’s soil, Krueger says she sees the most authentic side of humanity.
She remembers a year when a family approached the community, the mother holding the body of their child who had just passed away. They asked for a little funeral service to honour the life of their child.
When she’s not at work, Krueger’s moments of unwinding are with her husband and six children—where she gets to turn off her “teacher brain” and be present as a mother.
But she admits that sometimes the weight of some students’ problems is so heavy that she just can’t leave it in school.
Whether it’s helping newcomers adapt or travelling thousands of kilometres and being a part of a community, Krueger continues to inspire students to always have a good heart. She believes that everyone is called to care for one another and to be each other’s family.
“For the betterment of others. It’s not just all about us,” Krueger said.