Devyn (Moen) Wagenecht, a 2008 graduate of Pahrump Valley High School, has taken a path that has led her far from her hometown. From her roots in Pahrump to her current role as an educator in North Dakota, Devyn has cultivated a life that balances professional achievements with deep family traditions.
After graduating from PVHS, Devyn began her college journey at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) with aspirations of working in the medical field. However, as many young adults do, she discovered her true calling in a different area. While helping her mother at a daycare/preschool, she found herself drawn to education. “After working for my mom, I found more passion for the field of education,” she explained. This shift led her to transfer to Minot State University in North Dakota, where she earned her degree in Elementary Education. But Devyn didn’t stop there—she recently completed her Master’s in Elementary Education at the University of North Dakota and plans to pursue her Doctorate within the next ten years.
Devyn now teaches 4th grade at Badlands Elementary in Watford City, North Dakota, a position she finds both challenging and rewarding. She and her family live on a farm in Arnegard, a small rural town about 10 miles from her school. The farm is more than just a place to live; it’s a generational family operation that has been in existence since 1905. “It’s great to continue that legacy and raise my daughters here,” she said with pride. The farm primarily produces durum wheat and peas, and they also run their own cattle operation. The rural lifestyle, combined with her teaching career, gives Devyn a unique and fulfilling life that she deeply values.
While she’s built a successful life in North Dakota, Devyn looks back at her time in Pahrump with fondness, especially the friendships and experiences she gained during her years at PVHS. Some of her most cherished memories revolve around bus trips for soccer, basketball, and student council events, which were as much about bonding with her peers as they were about competing. “One of my favorites was the van trip we took to Carson City for Student Council State! I think Mrs. Paxton was sick of our shenanigans by the end of it, but she was always the best at letting us have our fun,” she reminisced. Her time at PVHS was packed with leadership roles and achievements: she was both Homecoming and Prom Queen, served as Student Body President, and graduated as Salutatorian, all while being an active member of multiple sports teams, including soccer, basketball, track, and dance.
Despite initially steering clear of a career in education, Devyn’s career path took a turn that now seems like a natural fit. “I never saw myself in the field of education,” she admitted, reflecting on her initial reluctance. “But when you grow up in a classroom it becomes second nature. I remember summer days and weekends spent working in my mom’s classroom, cutting lamination, organizing, and running around in the halls and gymnasium. Sorry Coach Englund for the messes in your storage room!” However, her dissatisfaction with her initial major, biology, pushed her to make the switch to education. “The courses were not interesting and the work load was ridiculous,” she shared. Once she started her education courses, she found herself much more engaged and enthusiastic. “The content I was learning caught my interest, and I was enjoying school again,” she said.
One of Devyn’s most significant professional milestones came when she earned her Master’s degree in Elementary Education, an accomplishment she achieved amidst the challenges of juggling her career, family, and schoolwork. It wasn’t an easy path. Balancing the demands of her classroom with her responsibilities as a mother often meant working late into the night, finishing assignments after her children went to bed, or squeezing in study time during weekends spent at her daughters’ travel ball tournaments. “There were many late nights writing papers, or sitting in hotel rooms on travel ball weekends reading and working on homework,” she recalled. Despite the long hours and sacrifices, crossing the stage with her daughters in the audience made all the hard work worthwhile. “I’m most proud that my daughters got to see me graduate. I hope they strive to work hard and pursue their dreams in whatever field they choose,” she shared. Along with earning her degree, Devyn was nominated for Teacher of the Year at her school, an honor that reflects her commitment and influence in the classroom. “I work amongst some superb educators, and to be recognized in that way makes me proud,” she said.
Devyn’s commitment to education extends beyond the classroom. Together with her husband, she runs Next Level Sports ND, a business focused on athletic training for youth during the off-season. The program currently offers basketball training and has plans to expand into other sports like baseball, volleyball, and soccer. Their goal is to provide opportunities for young athletes to grow and improve their skills. “We’re looking forward to offering more sports in the near future,” Devyn said. Additionally, she stays active in her community by volunteering as a coach for various youth sports through the local recreation program.
Devyn attributes much of her professional inspiration to her mother, a seasoned educator who remains her role model. “My biggest influence has been my mom. She was and is a great educator and has such a passion for helping children learn and grow,” Devyn explained. She also credits her 4th-grade teacher, Jill Harris, for shaping her desire to teach at that grade level. “I will say that the reason I wanted to become a 4th grade teacher was due to Jill Harris! Fourth and fifth grade have some of my best school day memories, thanks to Mrs. Harris!”
In the classroom, Devyn faces the challenge of student apathy, a problem she acknowledges as one of the toughest aspects of teaching today. “For some reason, students are tough to engage and get excited about learning,” she said, noting that even the most exciting projects can sometimes fail to spark enthusiasm. Nevertheless, she continues to seek ways to inspire her students, maintaining her belief that teaching can be extremely rewarding when approached with positivity and adaptability.
One of the most significant lessons Devyn has learned throughout her career is the importance of flexibility. Education is an ever-evolving field, and she’s found that the ability to adapt to changes is crucial. A prime example of this came recently when her district implemented a team-teaching model for 4th grade, requiring her to shift from teaching all subjects to focusing solely on math. Initially, Devyn was resistant to the change, feeling she had lost ownership of her classroom. However, as the year progressed, she began to see the benefits. “I have found that this year has been lower stress, and I have grown as a math teacher,” she said, adding that she now appreciates some of the positives of the departmentalized approach.
Outside of her professional life, Devyn stays grounded through her family and her hobbies. She and her husband, a farmer, rancher, and basketball coach, have three daughters—Camryn, Elliot, and Spencer—who are all actively involved in sports ranging from cross country to figure skating. When they’re not attending their children’s practices or games, Devyn enjoys gardening and hunting. Gardening has become a passion for her, and she takes pride in growing food for her family. Hunting is another favorite pastime, one that allows her to contribute to wildlife management while providing fresh meat for their household.
Balancing the demands of her personal and professional life can be difficult, but Devyn has learned the value of self-care and taking time to recharge. “You can’t pour from an empty cup,” she said, emphasizing the importance of taking moments for herself. Whether it’s jotting down things she’s grateful for or watching a sunset, these small moments help her maintain balance amid the chaos.
Looking ahead, Devyn’s future goals include continuing her career in education with aspirations of moving into an administrative role. “I would love to eventually be a school principal, or some sort of admin,” she shared. For now, she is focused on growing as an educator, contributing to her community, and nurturing her family’s farming legacy.
Devyn’s advice for those aspiring to follow a similar path is simple but profound: “Don’t be afraid of change,” she advised. Her own career trajectory has shown that flexibility and a willingness to embrace new opportunities can lead to personal and professional fulfillment. Although she has moved far from her roots in Pahrump, Devyn remains connected to her hometown through occasional visits and by keeping up with local news.
In every part of her life, whether it’s in the classroom, on the farm, or at home with her family, Devyn demonstrates a strong commitment to hard work. She serves as an inspiring example for those looking to balance their career goals with a fulfilling personal life, showing that it’s possible to pursue both with dedication and heart.
