When math teacher Nancy Fuller received the news that her daughter was having a baby and she had reached full retirement, she made the decision that after 38 total years of teaching, this year would be her final year in the classroom.

“One thing that I will never forget is when I caught a student of mine cheating one day. She had to come in early every day to catch up from it, and one day she left a note on my desk saying, ‘Thank you for holding me accountable and making me be responsible’,” said Mrs. Fuller. “Things like that make it all worthwhile.”

Just like any occupation, teaching has its highs and lows.

“One of the best parts is seeing a child’s face light up when they catch on to what they’re learning,” she said.

However, it isn’t always fine and dandy.

“One of the worst parts is when you see a student that simply doesn’t care and refuse to even try,” she said.

Other than the little things that happen day to day, it will be different to not be surrounded by her school family every day.

“I’m really going to miss my teacher friends and all of my students,” she said.

Although the people make up a great deal of her daily life as a teacher, there is definitely more to it.

“My students make fun of me when I say this, but I’m really going to miss doing equations every day. I might have to pull a few out every once in awhile,” she said.

Mrs. Fuller’s day to day life will take some adjusting to when she no longer has to wake up and come to school each morning.

“I plan on being with my grandchild, riding my bicycle, and doing a lot more gardening,” she said.

Mrs. Fuller isn’t the only one affected by her decision to retire.

“My daughter is thrilled that I can take care of the baby when she goes back to work,” she said.

That is something that she is looking forward to, as far as spending her days. She still remembers the advice she received from a fellow teacher 38 years ago.

“She told me to save my anger for the big things,” she said. As it turns out, that advice was more significant than it may sound. “She was exactly right. You can’t stress yourself out over all the little things.”

As she wraps up her final year, it is her turn to give words of wisdom.

“I would tell the younger teachers that are just getting started that I really enjoyed teaching, and if you don’t enjoy it, then you should try something else,” she said. “As for the older teachers, I would just tell them to hang in there!”

Everyone has their own traditions, but Mrs. Fuller has one that is extremely unique.

“After each year I say a prayer that the students find an occupation that they enjoy and that they do things that don’t harm them or others. I wish them the best of luck!”