Featured Teacher: Will Hiebert Art Teacher Proves Himself Jack of All Trades
Besides being a art teacher, Will Hiebert brings many contributions to Kapaun Mt. Carmel. Hiebert contributes by leading the KMC broadcasting team, as well as coaching the freshman basketball team, and uses his design skills for the theater department and KMC's social media.
Before teaching at KMC, Hiebert worked as a graphic designer while coaching the freshman basketball team, which, allowed for a spark in his interest in teaching full-time as an art teacher.
"The kids, it's always the kids," Hiebert said, as his reason for choosing and staying at KMC.
Hiebert has been teaching art at KMC for eight years.
"In art, it is different every day, and that's what I like about it, different kids, different questions, and I get to see different personalities every day," Hiebert said. "I like to see the progression of my students from beginning to end."
Getting to know his students and see their progression brings him joy, and reminds him why he chose to teach.
"[Hiebert] knows about various art styles and is good at challenging us to try something new," senior Hazel Zagula said. "He gives us a prompt for each project and gives us a lot of freedom on what we want to do. Mr. Hiebert is always very helpful to talk to and will give advice and help you gather materials."
Hiebert is a teacher who challenges his students to produce the best quality pieces while focusing on the aspect of hard work. Zagula describes the art room as a fun environment Hiebert has created for his students.
"Art class is one of my favorite classes because of how fun it is," Zagula said. "We always have music playing and can talk while we're doing our art. Mr. Hiebert is very funny and makes a good class environment."
Led by Hiebert, the broadcasting team streams games and special events that are hosted by KMC, Hiebert has been live-streaming events for three years.
"In the challenge of it, I like being able to learn new things, I like being able to do things I've never been able to do before, and the process of figuring out," Hiebert said. "Because to be quite honest, I've never done any broadcasting before."
Learning and gaining experience over the years has allowed him to better lead broadcasting, with trial and error.
"He is super patient and he will take all the time in the world to teach you what he wants done, which is just great," junior Millie Stewart said.
She said she is grateful that this high school experience is offered at KMC.
During after-school hours he coaches the freshman boys basketball team. Hiebert has been coaching for 12 years. The relationship between him and his players is something that he takes pride in.
"In basketball, I'm able to spend more time with those guys, you get to know them in a different way to a certain degree," Hiebert said. "The best thing that came out of that was to start somewhere where we could improve, and by the end of the year be able to get good; they pick up the confidence and know that they can do it, and think they can win."