more fun or a little bit more understanding for kids.”

Devert believes there are many students who see school as their safe place and need time to interact with one another and people at the school who they see on a regular basis.

Devert said she sees her students as miniature adults who need to be treated as such and helps in any way that she can. For her, teaching and interacting with the students truly helped her come out of her shell.

After graduating from Illinois State University, Devert first became a substitute teacher in Bureau County before accepting a position at Tiskilwa Grade School as an aide for a split classroom.

“I thought that I would know where I was going every day and see the same kids every day,” Devert said. “I got to work with a wonderful lady, Joanne Patterson, and when she found out that I had my degree, we took turns.”

Devert and Patterson would switch weekly between teaching second and third grades. The two would help each other grow as educators and participated in larger group projects with the classes when it was helpful.

Following her year with Patterson, Devert took on a third grade position of her own at Tiskilwa and then a fourth grade position at the same school. She ended up serving in another aide role and then transitioned to a long-term aide role before settling into the heart of her teaching career.