HILDALE, UT – For Mr. Ben Klepper, a passionate science teacher at Water Canyon High School in Hildale, Utah, education isn’t confined to textbooks and screens. Growing up in the small farming community of Mason, Michigan, Klepper’s deep respect and love for nature, the environment, and agriculture were cultivated early on. This foundation, coupled with a family steeped in education, has shaped its innovative and highly effective teaching approach.
“My mother’s side of the family is full of educators,” Klepper shared. “She was a 6th-grade teacher, her father was a principal, and her mother was a music teacher.” This legacy extends even further, with his aunt and cousins teaching internationally across the globe, from Brussels to Bali. His sister also carries the torch as a dance teacher at the Singapore American School. Before arriving at Water Canyon, Klepper himself taught Model UN and Leadership at The Korean International School in Qingdao, China, broadening his global perspective.
His connection to the natural world was further nurtured by his parents. “I learned much about natural resources from my father, who worked for the Development of Environmental Quality (DEQ) before becoming an environmental consultant,” Klepper explained. “My mother was also a horticulturist who taught me a lot about agriculture and botany, too.”
Armed with a bachelor’s degree in Sustainable Enterprise Management and a master’s degree in CTE Education, Klepper brings a unique blend of environmental awareness and pedagogical expertise to his classroom. He currently teaches Biology, Animal Science, Advanced Animal Science, Plant and Soil Science, and Floriculture, all through the lens of hands-on and experiential learning. “I believe in hands-on and experiential learning in education,” he stated. “It’s one thing to teach a concept, but a whole different thing to see a student demonstrate understanding through application in life. I also apply the backward by design model in learning, having students identify their outcomes and learn by problem-solving, critical thinking in the process.”
What truly sets Klepper’s program apart is his integration of a regenerative agriculture system across all his science subjects. “One of the things we want to teach students in science is the ways things are connected and have them see and make those connections in life,” he explained. “I use a regenerative agriculture system that applies to all of the subjects I teach. Aspects and resources from every subject are used and overlap.” This interconnectedness is evident in how floriculture utilizes soil created through composting and waste management systems in other classes, demonstrating a cyclical approach where “life builds upon life.”
Water Canyon High School boasts two unique greenhouses under Klepper’s guidance. One houses a thriving aquaponic system, a self-sustaining ecosystem where fish waste naturally fertilizes plants, which in turn clean the water for the fish. “The aquaponic system is essentially a working ecosystem in itself,” Klepper described, highlighting its value in teaching natural cycles and plant production.
The second greenhouse is a subterranean structure, built eight feet into the ground. This innovative design leverages geothermal energy to regulate temperature, allowing for extended growing seasons and demonstrating sustainable food production. “It’s a great example of using geothermal energy to produce food in a self-regulated temperature,” Klepper noted.
Beyond plants, Klepper believes in teaching Animal Science with living animals, making Water Canyon High School a standout in the region. “We are the only school in the Washington County School District that has a functional farm on site,” he proudly stated. “There are only a handful of schools that have this type of resource in the state. We also have the most diversity in the types of different animals we have here at the high school level in the entire state. Also, the only school I know of uses regenerative agriculture in practice.” The on-site farm provides unparalleled opportunities for students to observe genetics, understand animal nutrition, learn basic veterinary care, and explore life cycles firsthand.
Klepper also emphasizes the therapeutic benefits of interacting with plants and animals. “Animals are intuitive and certainly sense the energy of the people they interact with,” he explained. “The best interaction with them occurs when we are calm, not afraid, and move with consistency and intention. All good metaphors for life but also healing from a mental health aspect.” In an increasingly digital world, Klepper’s living classroom offers a vital connection to the natural world, encouraging active engagement and mindfulness.
Mr. Ben Klepper’s dedication to experiential learning through regenerative agriculture and hands-on interaction with living organisms is not only enriching the educational experience for his students but also cultivating a deeper understanding and respect for the interconnectedness of life. His innovative approach is undoubtedly leaving a lasting impact at Water Canyon High School and beyond.
