Saint Michael's College

Majors: Elementary Education and Psychology
Hometown: Norton, MA

“The best teachers are those who can’t see themselves doing anything else,” says Devon Almeida, a Saint Michael’s College elementary education major who considers it her calling to work with children.

“Teaching takes 100 percent heart and passion, and it’s just pouring out of my heart,” said Devon,  who cites her own outgoing personality, enthusiasm and comfort “running the show” as qualities suited to her chosen profession. Her mom teaches second grade, and Devon will be the tenth teacher in her extended family history. “It goes back for generations,” she said.

Demanding challenges help motivate Devon, who juggles an education/psychology double-major and multiple extra-curriculars. Thanks to her gift for time management, which she considers a “must” for successful teachers, Devon makes time for college dance team practice and performances, weekend skiing and campus ministry retreats.

Saint Michael’s education program distinguishes itself by immediately putting first-year students into elementary or secondary schools with kids, Devon said.

“The more I zoomed in on my search, I felt nothing could compare to this school’s education program. Small class size is very important to me, and I knew that as a student I’m the type who needs one-on-one with the professor. Also, I liked the idea of the liberal arts requirements since I know as a teacher I need a broad background. This exposes me to all ends of spectrum -- science, math, philosophy.”

Her upcoming junior semester student-teaching in England is an example of the exciting opportunities for education majors, she said, adding she would like to complete a master’s in special education at Saint Michael’s after graduation and perhaps join an extended service trip. Before she graduates, Devon has signed on for a shorter service trip during a school break, teaching at an inner-city school in New Orleans run by the Edmundites, the College’s founding order of priests.

At small Norton High School, Devon -- one of three children in her family -- threw herself into nearly every activity she could, from yearbook editor, student council vice president and drama to volleyball, tennis and track. The advantages of being a “big fish in a small sea” pulled her toward Saint Michael’s, she said. Also, both parents have family ties to Vermont and Saint Michael’s, and she “fell in love” with the beautiful campus as a junior high student when she accompanied a brother on a college visit. “I wanted to feel on my own, to get away and work on independence, but still only be a few hours from my parents,” she said.

During school vacations, Devon substitute-teaches in Norton, even filling in for her mom sometimes. “The kids get a kick out of that,” she said. “It’s really enabled me to put to practice everything I’ve been learning.”

Eventually Devon wants to return to Massachusetts and teach second grade and special needs children. “Children inspire me, and that’s the biggest thing. I know the profound influence teachers have had on me,” she said.