Today's Spotlight is on Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Otsego BOCES Assistant Principal of Pathways Academy 7-12 (Alternative Education & 8:1:1) Nicholas Devins.
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Q. About when did you start working in your current position at Herkimer BOCES?
A. November 2025.
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Q. What led you to your current position at Herkimer BOCES?
A. After high school, I wasn't sure what career path I wanted to take, but I always knew I enjoyed working with children. I spent 17 years as a school custodial worker while continuing my education and exploring different opportunities. In 2021, I became a school counselor, a role I truly enjoyed. Continuing my education eventually led me into administration. My journey has reinforced my belief in lifelong learning and growth, which is why I live by the quote: “You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” - C.S. Lewis
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Q. What do you find rewarding about working in your current position?
A. As an assistant principal, what I find most rewarding is that I still have the opportunity to draw on my background as a school counselor while supporting students in a broader capacity. Being able to help students grow, overcome challenges and achieve success is what makes this work so meaningful to me.
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Q. When did you first know you wanted to work in this field and what made you feel that way?
A. I realized I wanted to work in education through my interactions with students while working as a school custodial worker. Building relationships with them and seeing the positive impact school staff can have inspired me to continue my education and pursue roles that allowed me to support students more directly. That passion continues to drive me today as an assistant principal.
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Q. What do you think makes Herkimer BOCES special?
A. What makes Herkimer BOCES special is its strong family and team atmosphere. It's a place where you can ask questions, grow professionally and make a meaningful impact on students' lives. From an administrative perspective, I couldn't be more impressed with the team at Herkimer BOCES. As a new staff member, I was welcomed with open arms, and the ongoing support, collaboration and opportunities for continuous growth have been second to none.
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Q. What value do you believe Herkimer BOCES provides for students and/or the community?
A. I believe Herkimer BOCES provides students with opportunities they may not otherwise have access to, helping them discover their strengths, explore career paths and build skills for the future. What makes that especially meaningful is seeing students grow in confidence and find success in ways that align with their individual goals and interests. Beyond serving students, Herkimer BOCES has a positive impact on families, local school districts and the community by helping prepare students for success both in and out of the classroom.
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