Building educational supports for more than 20 years at SLE

SEELEY LAKE – It was just another day for John Devins out practicing with his little league team at the Seeley Lake Elementary baseball fields until SLE superintendent John Hebnes came out and encouraged him to apply for the maintenance position. With a degree in education, teaching experience and working as a carpenter for almost 20 years, Devins applied for the opportunity and was hired more than 20 years ago. He will close the door on this chapter as he retires July 8.

"I have been grateful to have a job where I was able to work with students, staff and community, as well as tackle physical building needs," wrote Devins in his retirement letter to the SLE School Board. "I have enjoyed wonderful, working experiences at Seeley Lake Elementary."

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Education was always highly valued in Devins' family. His father was a scientist who gave presentations all over the world and was widely acclaimed for his work with super conductors. His father instilled in him that the most important thing he could do is learn to think.

"Education is the key for being successful. Whether you use [your degree] or not, you learn to think," said Devins. "I know how to think and reason and that has helped me. If you don't know how to do it, you better know who to call."

Devins got his teaching degree in New York and was certified to teach kindergarten through ninth grade with endorsements in math and science.

When Devins moved to Montana in 1975, he substitute taught in nearly every school in Missoula County. Before moving to Seeley Lake, he was the night supervisor and teacher at a youth guidance center in Montana for two and half years. It was a live-in situation for youth ages 8-18 that focused on behavior modification. Devins said it was considered these students' "last chance" before ending up in jail or another institution.

"That was one of the reasons I got out of teaching. That was a stressful job and one of the hardest jobs I've ever done," said Devins. "You put your heart and soul into those kids."

Devins left teaching and attended the VoTec in Missoula for small engine repair. He permanently moved to Seeley Lake with his wife Shelia in 1980. He worked as a carpenter for almost 20 years. In the winter of 1997, Devins started working as a substitute cleaner at SLE.

With the addition of the new gymnasium and primary wing to SLE which was completed in 1997, they were looking to hire another maintenance man in addition to Shirley Keiper who cleaned and her husband Bill who was the maintenance man and boiler operator. When the position opened Devins applied since his body was starting to feel the pain from carpentry.

"It helped that I was working in the school already,' said Devins. "I think a lot of it was because of my education background – I worked with kids, I knew kids."

Devins was certified in low-pressure boiler operations and did his apprenticeship under Don Osborne. Devins got his boilers license and took over all the maintenance duties when Keipers retired. Instead of filling Keipers' positions, SLE hired a cleaning service.

"Even though we had a cleaning service, they only did a certain aspect of it. During the day I would do other things...I'm really good with a plunger" said Devins and laughed.

Maintenance duties included keeping all the fans, motors, boilers, septic and pump systems functioning properly. Devins was told early on by the school board chair that, even though he knew how to do wiring, to not do any electrical work at the school due to the liability issues.

Along with maintaining the facilities, Devins worked on several projects throughout his career.

Devins' first big project was building the roof over the walkway out the back of the school to the playground. He also replaced the original playground in the late 1990s that had to be removed due to the addition. He erected many swings, slides and built a merry-go-round.

Devins initiated the idea for a the current playground in 2005 under then Superintendent Tom Korst. Back where he was from in New York, they had playground structures built by Leathers and Associates of Ithica, New York. Sales representatives from leathers and Associates came to Seeley to see if it was feasible to do.

"That is one of the best things we've done in this community was when we built that. It is all community funded, [kid organized] and community built," said Devins.

The community fundraised more than $100,000 in one year. The students met and talked about what they wanted. Leather and Associates included what the students wanted in the design and provided all the materials were delivered. The students named it the "Eagle's Nest."

The community erected the playground in one week during the summer of 2006. They ran two shifts from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. and meals and childcare were provided. More than 100 volunteers worked on the project.

"Building that was the most phenomenal week I've seen in this town in almost the whole time I've lived here," said Devins. "Everybody bought into it. They realized we needed a playground. It was all walks of life...if you couldn't build, you were cooking or making food. The whole community was together for that brief amount of time. It was an amazing thing."

Other endeavors that Devins is especially proud of included special projects to help make the teachers' jobs easier.

"I see what teachers do and I'm just amazed," said Devins. "I feel an important part of my job was helping them, working with them. If they need something, I'm there."

Many of the teachers would do special programs, productions and plays but there was really no place to do them. While Devins treasured the mountains backdrop created by Feather and Rick Sherman in the late 1990s that was used for all the Christmas concerts and graduations, he felt the school needed a stage.

In 2013, Devins proposed building a stage in the multi-purpose room using the materials from the old wooden bleachers. This would provide more room in the lunchroom and give the students a place to perform. He also received donations from Pierce Flooring in Missoula and Pyramid Mountain Lumber.

With the approval of then Superintendent Chris Stout and design assistance from Mike Monsos, head of Design and Technology for the School of Theatre and Dance at the University of Montana, Devins built the only stage in town, until the auditorium was built at Seeley-Swan High School.

"The kids absolutely loved it," said Devins. "The way it was set up to the music room with two entrances and with the storage closet for the props, it really worked out great."

Devins also worked with technology teacher Michele Holmes and SLE technology director Dave Spence to redesign the technology lab. He repurposed old tables and again received donations from Pyramid and Timberline Materials.

"That didn't cost a penny except for my time - everything was donated," said Devins. "Basically I do whatever anybody wants. That is my job – if they want something I do it. I've been doing it for more than 20 years. I instigate some of it. If there are problems, I go to the superintendent."

Devins worked under seven superintendents throughout his career at SLE. He worked one-on-one with students under the direction of the special education teacher prior to the Alta Care program, a good fit based on his prior teaching experience. He also coached little league baseball and started the flag football program. He coached flag football for more than 15 years and loved watching the students' success on the field.

Regardless of the project, Devins enjoyed working with the students the most.

"I always told [the students] you get one shot at an education," Devins said. "This is why you are here. Take advantage of it. Education is the key."

As the maintenance and cleaning needs continue to add up, Devins decided it was time for him to retire. Having very little time off while working, he is looking forward to doing more camping and backpacking in the summer and cross country skiing in the winter. He is also looking forward to continuing to pursue his furniture making hobby and taking his harmonica playing to the next level so he is comfortable playing with anyone.

"The job has been a great fit and positive comments from students, parents, teachers, administrators and the board over the years have been appreciated," said Devins. "The community has overall been tremendous and I thank them for that."