POULSBO — When Don Johnson first arrived at North Kitsap High School in 1963, the school held about 500 students.

When graduation came, Johnson and most of the other teachers could recognize most of the graduates by first name.

Thirty-nine years later, Johnson, who has counseled thousands of students, then gone on to counsel some of their children, is moving on himself.

Johnson is retiring this summer after a career in the counseling office.

“I like working with the kids,” said Johnson. “That’s going to be the hard part of retirement.”

He said, “It’s an opportunity to work not only on social issues, but on their fears, their dreams, and what’s down the road for them.”

Johnson arrived at the school as a teacher, but taught only a few years before the administration eyed his minor in psychology and moved him to counselor.

Since then, Johnson has talked with students about everything from their college choice to their career choice, from their families to their friends.

“It’s amazing what they’ll share with you,” Johnson said.

He said the job has changed. It has always been busy, but with the growth of alternative programs like Running Start, college placement, shared students who attend more than one school, and parent-assisted programs, the counselor’s job is more complicated than it once was.

“Your time demands are very difficult,” Johnson said.

The kinds of problems kids face is different too, Johnson said. There were some alcohol problems with students when he arrived, but the drug problem has grown worse; students face much more choice in how they live their lives, and that can be a tricky path to navigate.

This year, Johnson is “responsible” for about 440 students (the counselors divide up the student body). He doesn’t have time to see every student, but tries to see every senior, especially when the year begins and it is essential for the student to start working on college preparation.

While Johnson tries to plan out each day, he admits it’s very little use: small problems, big crises, or urgent demands rise up each day to be met.

“It’s a ride. You don’t know what’s going to be put in front of you,” Johnson said.

Despite all the time demands and the challenges, Johnson will miss it.

Not necessarily the work, but the people who come with it.

“I’m going to miss the kids and the people,” Johnson said only a few weeks before his 39 years ended.