At the start of this school year, Ms. Devonne Johnson, a graduate of the College of William and Mary who has experience working for two years as an elementary school counselor and sixteen years as a middle school counselor, joined the guidance department; she covers students with the last names STEWB-Z.

Ms. Johnson shared that her reasons for coming to ERHS were that she “wanted something different,” and that she had never worked at a high school level before. “Middle school was very interesting, but it was time for a new experience,” she said.

Ms. Johnson said that after other work experiences, she wanted to work with children instead of adults. “When I first graduated I worked in the psychiatric unit at a hospital in DC and it was disheartening to see the same adults always coming back.” She commented that “adults are more set in their ways,” and therefore less willing to take the advice given or change their habits, circle of friends, or entire lives for the better. “I wanted to see more hope,” she said. “There’s more hope with kids. I wanted to try to make a difference.”

On top of her good intentions, Ms. Johnson said she is very confident about working at ERHS and enjoys the staff and students. Fellow guidance counselor Mr. David Heintzelman described Ms. Johnson as “top notch” and “efficient and effective.” “She’s really good,” Mr. Heintzelman said. “She’s making a transition from Greenbelt middle and usually it takes a couple of years to get comfortable in this position, but she got it right away.”