The West Prairie Press

By Janell Heaton

Angie Hepner is a Special Ed teacher here at West Prairie Jr./Sr. High. West Prairie Press wanted to spotlight all the teachers so new students could get to know them better. West Prairie Press’s next teacher is Hepner. 

WP Press: When and how did you know that you wanted to be a teacher?

AH: I knew I wanted to be a teacher when I was a little girl. I had decided early on that I wanted to be a special education teacher. I lived across the street from a grocery store and spent a lot of time there. Down the road from my house was a center that housed adults with severe disabilities. I noticed how poorly some people treated them in the store. I would walk with them, help them, and stand up for them when others were unkind. That was the moment I realized I wanted to become a special education teacher.

WP Press: What were some struggles that you had while becoming a teacher? 

AH: Becoming a teacher was not an easy journey for me. I was a mom while attending college full time and working six part-time jobs. I was often exhausted, and during my junior year I became very sick due to a lack of sleep and not taking proper care of myself. Despite these challenges, I persevered, and the rewards of becoming a teacher have far outweighed the struggles I faced.

WP Press: What about teaching do you find motivating? 

AH: I find teaching most motivating when a student has that ‘light bulb’ moment—when something finally clicks. Seeing their smile and watching their confidence grow makes all the effort worthwhile.

WP Press: Do you have passion for the subject you are teaching? 

AH: Yes, I absolutely have a passion for the subject I teach. I love math because it just makes sense, and once you finally understand it, it becomes fun to do.

WP Press: How do you want to make a positive impact on students? 

AH: I want to make a positive impact by helping students understand that it’s okay to fail, as long as they learn from their mistakes and use them as opportunities for growth. I want them to know they are capable of anything they put their minds to, and that I am here to support them both now and in the future.

WP Press: How do you want to help your students grow academically and personally?

AH: I want to help my students grow academically by meeting them where they are, providing clear instruction, and offering support and encouragement as they build skills and confidence. Personally, I want to help them develop resilience, self-advocacy, and a growth mindset so they feel confident in their abilities both in and out of the classroom.

WP Press: How do you deal with behavior issues in your classroom?  

AH: I address behavior issues by first building strong relationships with my students and setting clear expectations from the beginning. I focus on understanding the root cause of the behavior and use consistent, fair consequences while teaching appropriate replacement behaviors. I believe in proactive strategies, positive reinforcement, and open communication to help students feel supported and successful in the classroom.

WP Press: What classes do you teach this year? What classes have you taught in the past? What’s your favorite class to teach?  

AH: This year, I am teaching Math I, Math II, Math III, RTI Math, and I also co-teach English I and Consumer Economics. In the past, I have taught a wide range of subjects, including English, History, Transitional Math, Health, and Technology. While I enjoy the variety, my favorite subject to teach is definitely math.

WP Press: What do you feel your strengths and weaknesses are as a teacher? 
AH: My strengths as a teacher are that I genuinely care about my students and want them to succeed. I have a strong understanding of math and am able to break concepts down in ways that make them accessible and easier for students to understand. One area I continue to work on is being too laid back at times, which can occasionally lead to students not taking me as seriously as they should. I am mindful of this and work to balance approachability with clear expectations and consistency.

WP Press: What kind of environment do you hope/want to create for your students? 

AH: I want to create a classroom environment where students feel safe, supported, and respected. I want them to feel comfortable asking questions, making mistakes, and taking academic risks without fear of judgment. My goal is to build a structured yet welcoming space where expectations are clear, learning is engaging, and every student feels valued and capable of success.

WP Press: What is the biggest challenge you have faced since becoming a teacher? 

AH: The biggest challenge I have faced since becoming a teacher is meeting the wide range of academic, behavioral, and emotional needs of students while ensuring all students feel supported and successful. Balancing these demands can be challenging, but it has pushed me to grow as an educator, strengthen my classroom management skills, and continually adapt my instruction to better serve my students.

WP Press: How did you get to West Prairie? 

AH: I began teaching in Sciota when it was Northwestern High School. I then continued teaching when the districts consolidated and the school became West Prairie.

WP Press: What degrees do you have? 

AH: I hold degrees in Learning Behavior Specialist I and Elementary Education.

WP Press: What qualities or skills do you feel people need to be a good teacher? 

AH: I believe a good teacher needs to be patient, caring, and flexible. Strong communication skills and the ability to build relationships with students are essential. Teachers also need a solid understanding of their content and the ability to break it down in ways that make sense to different learners. Most importantly, a good teacher believes in their students and is willing to support them through both challenges and successes.