Lance Bridges calls Jodie DeVore a "true daughter of Rathdrum."

DeVore, a kindergarten teacher at Garwood Elementary, spruces up Rathdrum City Park each spring with flowers and her daughters are her helping hands.

She helped start the community garden on Main Street next to the parks and recreation building.

And she's always among the first to raise her hand to help out with Rathdrum youth sports.

"I don't think I know another individual who is as positive as Jodie in a learning environment," said Bridges, Rathdrum's parks and recreation director.

Bridges said he remembers DeVore saying five years ago how cool it would be for Rathdrum to have a splash pad at a park for kids to enjoy.

That idea became reality last weekend when Majestic Park opened in Rathdrum.

"I'm sure she talked her husband into being an active participant ... so Lakeland Family Dental (owned by DeVore's husband Chad) donated $500 to be used toward the splash pad," Bridges said.

With DeVore and her daughters' annual flower and weeding project at City Park, Eric Singer, Rathdrum's parks foreman, said it's refreshing for residents to take ownership in the parks.

"When my staff want to go clean it up, we have no idea she has it done already," Singer said. "She's constantly asking me to see what she can do to keep our parks beautiful in the community."

DeVore, who grew up in Rathdrum and graduated from Lakeland High in 1989, said it's one of the ways she enjoys being a part of the community.

"We like making it look nice," she said.

How did the flower project at City Park with your three daughters come about?

We've been doing it for five years. I live on Hidden Valley Road (in the Hauser area) and I pass Rathdrum City Park every day. When it was weedy, it looked like no one was taking care of it. So, instead of complaining, I thought I'd do something about it. My daughters would do the weeding and I asked Lance if I could plant flowers. We've been doing it ever since.

Where else do you take your green thumb talents in the community?

My boss and I fix the flower beds in front of Garwood Elementary.

In what ways did you assist with putting Rathdrum's community garden together?

The girls and I dumped wheelbarrow loads of dirt for the flower beds and rocks for the pathway. We also helped plant a lot of the flowers. I was so excited to help get the garden started. A couple of my really good friends are the ones that came up with the idea. It was fun watching the empty, weedy lot turn into a bright, beautiful garden.

Where does your interest in sprucing up areas come from?

I did not have a green thumb (growing up). I did, however, have a mom who would plant around the house every spring. I loved how it made the yard look. I love being outside and digging in the dirt, and I love being around flowers. It's an easy way to improve the look of something. We have such long, gray winters. It's finally nice to see some bright colors in the spring and summer.

Why are you so involved in youth sports?

I was involved in track, softball and volleyball (in high school). I like being part of a team and having fun. With our girls' teams, they're always asking for parent helpers and snack moms, so I do it.

In what other ways are you an active mom?

In July I did my fifth Valley Girl Triathlon in Liberty Lake. It's a 1/3-mile swim, 12-mile bike ride and a 3-mile run. It's a bunch of moms who are at different fitness levels. I do it with some girlfriends. It's a fun outlet to stay healthy and say you've accomplished something. I always want to try new things. We got a horse when I was 35. I love riding horses, but I'm not good at it. I love riding dirt bikes, but I'm not good at it. Even though it may be a challenge and you're not good at it, at least try.

Is that a philosophy you carry over into the classroom? Explain.

I tell my students, 'Never say you can't do something.' Try, and if you don't succeed, keep doing it or ask for help. I am not an artist, so I challenge my students to draw better than I do.

What do you enjoy most about being a teacher?

I love being around kids and giving them free hugs every day. Sometimes life can get stressful and the two and a half hours I have with each student during the day can help me ignore the craziness and stress.

What student story can you share that describes how your job as a teacher can be rewarding?

One little boy was having a hard time and was grumpy a lot. Things in his life had gotten difficult, so I'd give him a hug in the morning to be a positive person for him. He's now a third-grader and he comes into my classroom to give me a hug and tells me how he's doing. To me, that's pretty cool.

What is it about Rathdrum that has kept you there?

It's my hometown and I knew I wanted to teach at the Lakeland School District. It just feels right. It's where Chad and I met and now we're raising the three girls here and trying to teach them to be productive in the community. It may be a little Hickville, but I love it.

In your opinion, what does Rathdrum need more of to at this point to make it an even better community?

I wish more people would complain less and do more. If you see something that you don't like, fix it. I wish more people would get involved. I know we are all super busy, but if we could just take a little time out of our lives and do something. It could be pulling weeds at an empty lot or picking up garbage alongside a road. It all adds up, and you feel good when your done.