Despite having stressful days, Michael Winters says he has always loved working with students. They are the part of his job as a Student Assistance Counselor he will miss most in retirement, as this is his last year at Portsmouth High School.

Winters has been at PHS for almost 16 years, and he worked at Portsmouth Middle School prior for 14 years.

He has learned many things during his years at PHS, but the most important is realizing people aren’t born with the difficulties they have in life. “Once you realize that, it’s easier to not be judgemental and dismissive,” said Winters.

Officer Lynn Thomas, whose office is next to Winters’s, says she has enjoyed “bridging the gap with law enforcement and counseling,” and “his commitment to our students and their well being.”

Thomas will miss all of the jokes and memories she has made with Winters over the years: changing his music to Mariah Carey Christmas songs he hates, locking him out of his office, and much more.

When Winters retires, his job will be taken over by Mary Calhoun who already works in the counseling department at PHS. Winters thinks she will be a good fit for the job because she’s very good in this field and “there isn’t much she doesn’t know.”

After retiring, Winters plans to continue his passion of photography. He has been practicing photography for close to 20 years and has a book of some of his photos, “Michael Winters: Friends and Muses.”