Coming from a school that is a big rival to Gibson Southern, Devin Murphy, is starting his first year as an English and history teacher. He graduated from South Ridge High School in 2019 and earned his degree at Indiana State University in 2023. For the Gibson Southern football team, Murphy is a first year assistant coach for the offensive line.
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Southerner: What has been your favorite part about working at Gibson Southern?
Murphy: “So far my favorite part has been how awesome my coworkers are. I think that everybody has taken good care of me, and as a first year teacher, I feel like I’m exactly where I need to be.”
Southerner: Did you always know you wanted to be a teacher when you were younger?
Murphy: “Yes, I’ve known that I wanted to be a teacher since I was in elementary school, and then the great teachers I had during high school confirmed that for me.”
Southerner: What do you like to do in your free time?
Murphy: “In my free time, if there’s not football on, usually I am playing my guitar or doing something outdoors.”
Southerner: How long have you played guitar?
Murphy: “Since I was eight years old.”
Southerner: What is your favorite food?
Murphy: “Man that’s a tough one. I like to eat about everything. I would say my favorite food is probably a mild Sancho from Taco T, that’s my favorite thing ever.”
Southerner: What are you most looking forward to this school year?
Murphy: “I’m looking forward to building relationships with my students and getting to know them and their families and the community, just building my career as a Titan. I can’t wait.”
Southerner: What is your dream vacation?
Murphy: “My dream vacation, I would love to go to Ireland and see basically everything there is to see there because that is where my lineage is from. So, I think that would be really cool.”
Southerner: Where did you grow up?
Murphy: “I grew up in Huntingburg, Indiana, and that’s why I went to South Ridge eventually. That’s where I lived my whole life, and I still live there actually, [but I] will be moving to Fort Branch here in about a month.”
Southerner: What is your least favorite part about a school day?
Murphy: “My least favorite part about a school day, man that’s tough. That’s a good question. I would say my least favorite part is before school when I get here and there’s nobody here. It just feeling like quiet and kind of boring, but as soon as kids are in my room, I feel much better.”
Southerner: What is your favorite high school memory?
Murphy: “I think my favorite high school memory was winning the State Championship when I was a junior in football. We played Woodland; they are a Fort Wayne school. I never heard of them before we played them.”
Southerner: If you could have one desert for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Murphy: “Oh man, I keep getting hung up on the food questions. One dessert for the rest of my life I’d say a brownie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream is probably my favorite dessert.”
Southerner: What has been your favorite vacation you’ve been on?
Murphy: “I went with my family to Hilton Head, South Carolina and saw all the historical landmarks and stuff, and the beaches were awesome. I think that’s probably my favorite vacation I’ve been on.”
Southerner: What made you want to be an English and history teacher?
Murphy: “I had really great teachers when I was in high school and my dad’s also a teacher. I kind of knew that’s the route I wanted to go and just getting to see kids improve themselves academically and on the football field, because I coach football as well, is one of my favorite things.”
Southerner: Did you play any sports growing up and what was your favorite?
Murphy: “Yep. I played football and I threw shotput and discus in track. Football was definitely my favorite sport growing up.”
Southerner: How do you spend your summer breaks as a teacher?
Murphy: “Most of the time I’m pretty busy during the summer, with football anyway, but I try to take a step back and enjoy my summer, too. I spend a lot of time outside, and I go different places, different parks and stuff and just walk around. I like hiking during the summer, so that’s one of the things I do quite a bit of.”
Southerner: If you could give any advice to your students what would it be?
Murphy: “I would say to take high school day by day and to not think too much about what you’re doing that might be wrong. I would say don’t put too much pressure on yourself and just keep it simple, I guess. Live in the moment, have fun, but also don’t neglect your studies.”
