DePauw joins Waseca special education department

Johnathan (JJ) DePauw knew he was destined to teach: “Since I was a child, I have always wanted to grow up and help people. I went through college looking for the right place for me to make a difference. With my skills, personality, and goals; it seemed like education was the fit for me,” he says. “I have a fun-loving, energetic, people-person personality which helps me a lot in the classroom!”

DePauw, who lives in Waseca with his wife, Ashley DePauw; dog, Penelope (Penny); and newborn son, joins the special education team while completing his Master’s degree. “This is the second district I have taught at and hopefully my last! I taught for 3.5 years at Tri City United Schools,” DePauw says.

 “I taught for a semester as a long-term substitute in a seventh- and eighth-grade history classroom, and I spent the next 3 years working in special education! I enjoyed every minute of it, and I look forward to continuing my special education journey in Waseca Public Schools!” DePauw’s wife is also a teacher, at the Waseca Intermediate School (WIS). “We decided that this is the city where we would like to raise our children, so I planned to teach here as soon as the opportunity presented itself.”

The one thing DePauw’s students will leave his classroom with is confidence. “I want my students to feel that they have what it takes to reach their goals in life, no matter what they are told or what they have gone through.”

When he is not at school, DePauw likes to spend time with his family and friends, playing board games, yard games, card games, bowling, or watching movies.