By Jim Richardson
When the Pauls Valley school district hired six new instructors for the current academic year, the new staff included the tandem teaching team of Jake and Ashley Deviney.
Jake is teaching sixth grade science at Lee Elementary School and one seventh grade science class at the junior high school. In addition, he helps coach football and wrestling at the junior high and high school levels.
Jake’s wife, Ashley, began teaching this year on the south side of town as a third grade teacher at Jackson Elementary School.
Though the two instructors relocated here after first-year teaching jobs in Texas, they are not new to Garvin County.
“My father, Dean, is from Wynnewood and my mother, Karrie, is from Pauls Valley. I was born and raised in Pauls Valley and graduated here in 2004 before attending ECU,” Ashley said.
“I was born in Maysville and went to school there from kindergarten through 12th grade,” Jake said. “My dad, Roy, and mom, Rhonda, are both from Maysville. I graduated in 2003 and went to both ECU and ORU.”
Ashley and Jake share a common excitement when it comes to the teaching profession.
From a very early age she knew she wanted to be a teacher and Ashley says she is thrilled every time she helps a student learn something new.
Jake echoed a similar comment saying, “I love it when kids finally grasp a new concept. You have said it to them several times, then suddenly you see it click.”
The couple’s favorite pastimes include going out for a weekly “date night” and taking part in their church fellowship group, “Saturday Night Live.”
