Many people believe that one is forced to figure out their entire life at the end of their senior year of high school, and young adults feel this immense stress to make these life-altering  decisions . However, for many people, deciding on your dream career can take years. Kerry Donlan, who worked as an Education Support Professional (ESP) for 11 years at WHS before starting teaching this year, is proof that it is never too late to switch paths. 

Donlan began teaching Special Education at Walpole High School this 2023-2024 school year. While she loves her job  it was not what she had planned to do after high school. 

“I went to Stonehill College and majored in economics with a minor in business, and when I graduated I worked for a mortgage company, but obviously that has changed,” she said. 

It was not until she had her children that she felt the need to change her career, even though she was unsure of leaving her job and coming to Walpole to work with teenagers. Luckily, teaching was the right fit for her. Donlan loves being able to help students learn, grow, and to make them feel better about their school life.

“I think sometimes teenagers get a bad rap and I really have been so fortunate to be working with great teenagers over my 11 years,” she said. 

Donlan feels fortunate to have built strong bonds with members of the WHS community across all departments, and cites them as a reason why she felt confident transitioning into her teaching role.

“I love the environment here, the people I have worked with. The other teachers I have been with are really great people and they have inspired me a lot,” she said. 

For those who feel like teaching is the career path for them, Donlan encourages people to take a step into the teaching realm to see how rewarding it can be. 

 “It is a lot of hard work, it is a lot of studying and education for yourself too, but I believe it is all worth it,” she said.