There wouldn’t be too many Maitland people who don’t know Mrs Schulha.

Over the past 43 years she has taught thousands of Maitland students and on Friday, she will call it a day.

On the eve of her retirement, Mrs Schulha recalled many fond memories of her four-decade career and the tears, the tantrums and triumphs she shared with parents, colleagues and students.

One of her more memorable moments was a bush camp training session for teachers. Competitive by nature Mrs Schulha had to hide certain elements used in a competition from an opposing team which she did with great gusto.

“Another teacher and myself were in the middle of the Myall Lakes breathing through straws and hiding certain pieces of the puzzle. I was determined to win,” she said.

Maitland born and bred, Mrs Schulha started her teaching career in 1974 in Dapto before moving back to Maitland with a job at Maitland Girls High. She made the move into primary school and worked at Maitland Public, Carrington, Hinton, Gillieston, Cessnock and Metford public schools.

She joined Metford school in 1995 and has been there ever since.

Mrs Schulha had maternity leave with her four children. She also has 10 grandchildren.

She has seen many changes in education during her career including changes in handwriting style, the transition to hands on learning with maths and science and changes to literacy learning. “So many things go in cycles. They go out and then they come back years later,” she said.

But the one thing that never changes is the rapport between a school, its teachers, their students and the community.

“You need to make a connection with your community. Make sure you get to know the kids you’re teaching. You need to know when they’re having a bad day, what’s happening in their little minds and eyes. It’s that connection that makes a great school.”