Meet the Teachers

Ms. Hepner 

Miss Hepner was born San Andreas, CA, attending Calaveras High School where she participated and found her love for the FFA. She attending CSU Fresno. When she came to teacher at West she found her ‘place in the world’ and says, “I am proud to be an agriculture instructor at Merrill F. West High School.” As someone who appreciates learning about all creatures; a major life accomplishment was attained when she went to the Galapagos Islands and swam through Shark Alley!! An educational goal she has includes learning various textile arts like how to create with macramé. When not at West, she rejuvenates in her yard pruning and gardening. She feels that being positively involved in this community is the best of life. When you see her out and about or at the Costco, please say Hi!

Ms. Farmer 

Ms. Farmer was born in Merced, CA. She attended Golden Valley High School and was an active member of the FFA. She participated in numerous Career Development Events and Leadership Development Events such as Creed, Parliamentary Procedure, Dairy Products and much more. During her senior year of high school, she served as the Chapter FFA President. After graduating high school, she attended Modesto Junior College, earning her Associates Degree in Animal Science and Agriculture Sciences. While attending MJC, she was a Student Resident Intern working on the Poultry Unit managing a laying hen flock of 1,500 birds. Ms. Farmer then transferred to Fresno State and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Education. She started teaching here at West High in the Fall of 2021. She is currently teaching Agriculture Biology. In her free time, she is enjoying the outdoors on her motorcycle or catching up on her favorite shows with her cat and dog.

Ms. Ferrell 

Ms. Ferrell was born in Eureka, CA. She was an active member of the Eureka FFA chapter, serving as a chapter officer and participating in multiple LDE and CDE events. She exhibited rabbits, a pig, a sheep and finally pygmy and dairy goats. She attended CSU, Chico for both her Bachelors and Masters Degrees.  She began her teaching at a now closed charter school that was located in West Sacramento. She then taught for 5 years at Calaveras High, 1 year at Lost River Jr/Sr high school and has been teaching at West since 2017. She has taught Ag Biology, Ag Physics and Ag Mechanics. She loves to spoil her 2 nephews and niece as much as she can. She loves taking them on adventures to fun places including Disneyland, Legoland, Great America and more. In her free time she enjoys learning about true crime, playing Zelda: Breath of the Wild and has a soft spot for reality TV.

Miss. Myers

Miss. Myers was born in Sacramento CA. Throughout her years in FFA, she raised pigs, showed horses through various events and helped her family on their small cattle operation. She participated in Horse Judging and Agriculture Mechanics. After high school, she attended Sierra College and transferred to CSU Chico to achieve her bachelors degree with a specialization in animal science. She started teaching at West High School in 2021 and is teaching Ag Chemistry and Ag Physics. Miss. Myers also coaches Light Horse Judging and AET Record Book, and Speaking Contests. When she's not teaching, you can find her outside enjoying the sunshine with her horses and dogs or binge watch Netflix. 

Check out her website to see updates for her class! https://sites.google.com/view/tmyersag/home 

Ms. Magniez

Ms. Magniez was born in Turlock California. She has lived in Turlock, Madera, Chico and now Tracy! She started in Ag through 4H showing horses, sheep and goats. In high school, she raised show lambs and competed in horse shows. She competed in FFA through livestock judging, opening and closing, and veterinary science. After high school, she sold her show lambs to pay for college and started at Madera Community College. She transferred to CSU Chico and completed her Bachelor's in Agriculture Education emphasis in Animal Science. She is excited to start teaching Ag Chemistry and Ag Physics this year. Her family owns a small farm and goat dairy where they handmake soaps and lotions. Outside of teaching Ms. Magniez, enjoys shopping, watching Judge Judy and making terrible puns.

Ms. Petersen

Check back soon!