Devine Retires
Mrs. Devine, who has been employed at USD 225 for 18 years, will continue working limited hours at the school under a different job description after retiring this year.
After this year Devine will only be at the school for about three days a week and will still be considered a counselor. The most important parts of the counselor job will be what Devine will continue doing while the rest will be given to someone else. Devine said, “I can’t just totally let go of my job.”
When Devine started this job she knew she would like to work with the kids, and she would enjoy counseling because it allows her to be in contact with more kids every day. She gets to see the kids that she enjoys being around and the faculty/staff.
The advantages of being a counselor outweigh the disadvantages according to Devine. As the counselor, Devine feels she has had the chance to know kids on a different level than knowing them as a teacher. “There really seem to be no disadvantages at this point,” said Devine.
The kids that come in contact with Devine may not realize it, but each of them impacts her life. She said, “ The kids have become family to me.”
Devine said that the biggest challenge she has faced throughout her career is to know that someone has a specific problem, and she can’t help them. All she can do is listen. In this situation all there is to do is listen, and that is what Devine continues to do throughout the years.
Devine has been a K-12 counselor for 16 years total. Her favorite part of the job is knowing that every day will be different. She said, “Not knowing what to expect the next day is what keeps this from being just a job.”
Devine has learned if a person gives respect and love, he or she will receive it back from others. Devine said, “I hope that I have impacted people’s lives like they have mine.”
One memory that Devine will always remember is when Slade Lang thanked her in his graduation speech, referring to her as his mom #2.
Devine will miss being with faculty/staff every day, but she will not miss getting up on Monday mornings. This was a difficult part for Devine.
For anyone that has ever wanted to be a counselor, Devine said, “Do it. It’s a very rewarding profession.”