Meghan Lang to retire from school post that she defined

“It’s bittersweet; I really do enjoy what I do.”

The speaker was Meghan Lang who retires in September as guidance office assistant after 20 years on the job. But the title doesn’t begin to describe Ms. Lang’s role within the department and the wider school community.

She is the glue that assures the department runs smoothly, the woman who organizes special events from awards ceremonies to graduations.

But even that doesn’t begin to describe the most important role she plays. She’s among a cadre of staff members who help to meet the emotional needs of students, not because it’s in any of their job descriptions but simply because they care deeply.

Some come because they need encouragement, others because they are overwhelmed with emotions and know they can turn to Ms. Lang to soothe them. Ms. Lang and the others in that group are among the most popular with students, the ones who got them through a difficult moment or experience.

“Our job is to love the students,” Ms. Lang said.

That the job she accepted years ago has grown to be so much more is because administrations through the years recognized her abilities.

“I do ask a lot of questions,” she said, explaining she has always had to understand the context within which she is asked to do something and she thinks that is why her abilities got noticed.

“I was definitely more than a paper pusher,” she said.  “To be given the opportunity and the trust” has meant much to her, she said.”We were given the luxury to make things better,” she said about the encouragement she felt in suggesting ways to improve how to approach various efforts more efficiently and effectively.

She knows she will miss her colleagues and miss the job, but realizes the time is right for her to enjoy her family and to have the flexibility to be with them without the restrictions she has placed on her own shoulders, leaving many days of  sick time and vacations to assure her responsibilities at school had to be done right.

“I don’t really have a hobby,” she said, admitting free time can be scary. At the same time, she faces those idle days optimistic that other endeavors will present new opportunities.

Because she lives on the Island, she will always be a resource for anyone who has questions, she said. At the same time, she knows each person needs to find their own path to happiness and success.

As she prepares to leave, she has advice for those staff members who continue on the journey in their careers, for students and for her successor:

To her colleagues: Don’t define students by their mistakes.

To students: Don’t regret mistakes you make; learn from them.

To her successor: Take things one day at a time and ask questions.

“You’re going to love it here. Enjoy the kids; every one of them is going to touch your heart.”