At the School District of Lancaster, the impact of our work is often found in the consistent presence of staff members who pour themselves into students every single day. Angela Sepulveda, affectionately known throughout Milestones as “Miss Angie,” is one of those people.
Angela is currently in her fourth year with the district, serving as a Special Education Paraprofessional. She is also a proud 2003 graduate of McCaskey High School. Returning to work in the same community that shaped her is something she carries with pride. Her path to SDoL was not impulsive. For years, she had thought about working in a school setting while actively chaperoning field trips and staying deeply involved in her children’s education. Even so, the idea of starting over in a brand new job felt overwhelming. After reaching a personal breaking point, she applied for several positions within the district. Only one called her for an interview. She took that opportunity and never looked back, even while keeping her previous job part time during the transition.
Her mornings begin with routine. She wakes up, gets ready for the day, and stops at Turkey Hill to fill her cup with ice before heading to school. Once she arrives, she checks emails, makes copies, prints materials, and prepares everything she will need. Soon after, she boards the bus to accompany students to school. She describes this time as hanging out with “my kiddos,” a phrase that reflects genuine affection and connection. While there, she supports students with daily tasks, closely tracks data for each child, and helps ensure their needs are met. After returning to her building mid-morning, she continues working alongside her students before getting back on the bus later in the day to pick up another group and bring them safely back. The work is detailed and often demanding, but she approaches it with patience.
What Angela values most about her role is building meaningful relationships and bonds with her students. She takes pride in being someone students can rely on throughout their day.
A colleague who nominated her shared that Angela has grown significantly in her capacity as a special education paraprofessional over the past four years. “Miss Angie,” as she is known among staff and students, has helped raise the bar for professionalism among her job alike colleagues. She maintains a binder with materials and printouts from every professional development session and regularly refers back to them. She contributes ideas and suggestions within the building and is not afraid to speak up when she sees opportunities for improvement.
In addition, Angela serves as the point person for the monthly AFSCME council meetings at Milestones, helping support areas for growth and progress within the building. Her initiative recently led to her idea being chosen and approved for the upcoming district AFSCME event in March. That selection reflects both her creativity and her willingness to lead.
Her colleague also shared that Angela is one of the unofficial lead decorators in the building. She consistently takes initiative to create colorful and imaginative themed bulletin boards throughout the year. She serves as one of the leads on the Milestones Sunshine Committee, organizing opportunities for staff to come together, celebrate milestones, recognize birthdays, and enjoy shared meals. These efforts strengthen morale and foster a culture where employees feel valued and connected. As her colleague expressed, Milestones is incredibly proud to have Miss Angie as part of their family.
Angela holds an Associate’s degree in Computerized Office Management and Business Administration from Consolidated School of Business. Outside of work, she enjoys crafts, party planning, and investigating. Her dream job would be working in forensic homicide investigation, which reflects her curiosity and attention to detail.
She often reflects on the influence of her family. Growing up, she observed relatives who built stable lives through hard work and others who struggled. Those experiences shaped her perspective. She believes role models are not always people you admire for positive outcomes. Sometimes they are examples of what you don’t want for your own future. Following in her father’s footsteps as a dedicated and hardworking individual has guided her approach to life and career. She works with determination not only for herself, but for her children and the example she sets.
Angela is frequently chosen to assist students on field trips and activities outside her building, giving her the opportunity to collaborate across departments and support students in a variety of settings. That willingness to step in wherever needed demonstrates her flexibility and team mindset.
At SDoL, we are grateful for staff members like Angela who show up early, stay engaged, and invest deeply in students and colleagues. Her professionalism and heart leave a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to work alongside her. Thank you for all that you do!