Valley View Elementary School Sarah Macias has decided it is time to hang up the ruler and retire.

Macias has taught for 41 years, beginning in 1968. She moved to Bonners Ferry in 1967.

“I took a year off when I had my daughter, Tiffany, but went back after a year and have been teaching ever since,” said Mrs. Macias.

Mrs. Macias, a grandmother of eight, started at Valley View teaching first-graders but said her favorite age are the fourth-graders.

“The fourth graders are still young enough that they like to learn,” Macias said. “They aren’t old enough to get bratty due to the hormones kicking in.”

Mrs. Macias said her favorite thing about teaching is seeing the students become excited about projects. She likes to see the students learn and have fun while doing their studies.

Mrs. Macias is going to join her daughter, Tiffany DeBuhr Corsen, in Middleberry, Ind., and spend some time with her grandchildren on her daughter’s horse ranch.  She also plans on going to Tennessee to fish with her brother.

Although she will miss her students she is looking forward to her travels.

Mrs. Macias’ son, Thad DeBuhr, lives in Post Falls and is a youth minister at Real Life Church. Another son, Trevor DeBuhr, works for Capital One Bank in Nampa, and  a third son, Thomas Macias. lives in Coeur d’Alene and works in construction.  Daughter Tiffany, has a horse ranch in Indiana, where she trains horses and boards horses.

“My sons live in Idaho and six of my grandkids, said Mrs. Macias.  “I have all my stuff in storage here and I will be back one day.”