"I had an English teacher who was a great influence in my life and told me I had a gift in writing," Hoerner said. "Gloria Madje's influence led me into the field."

Hoerner is retiring from School District 6 this year after 28 years of teaching.

The fiercely athletic woman grew up in the tiny town of Geyser, near Great Falls. She attended Northern Montana College, now known as Montana State University-Northern. She received a bachelor's degree in English in three years.

Hoerner has taught throughout School District 6 since arriving in the area in 1969. In addition to teaching at Columbia Falls High School, she has provided instruction at Eagle alternative school, remedial title reading assistance and has worked as a substitute — something she intends to continue doing even in retirement.

Since the first drama class Hoerner taught in 1969 at the age of 21 — she herself was frequently cast in her college's extracurricular drama program — she was hooked on building relationships with her students.

"I like watching them grow into mature young adults," Hoerner said.

Recently, CFHS sophomores completed a state reading exam and surpassed the Montana average by at least 7 percent.

"It's watching students have that 'ah ha' moment," Hoerner said. "They see themselves grow as readers. The students feel so empowered. It's exciting watching that celebration."

Of the many stories Hoerner assigns her class, she most prefers a certain English playwright.

"I love to teach Shakespeare," she said. "Shakespeare has so many lessons that truly apply to the students in their everyday lives. When they can see Shakespeare having relevance, teaching a lesson, and understand it, they feel empowered and connected."

When teaching her ninth-grade classes "Romeo and Juliet," Hoerner draws on the experiences her students are having — making wise decisions, but also making bad ones, and difficulty in relationships — to communicate a text more than 400 years old.

Hoerner's tenth-grade students can easily understand the betrayal and learn to discern deception while reading "Julius Caesar."

And perhaps Hoerner's favorite of the plays, "Taming of the Shrew," helps students understand relationships threw Shakespeare's eyes, which in turn gives those students insight.

"With Shakespeare, we can take on all of the aspects of standards, when students actively participate and present Shakespeare in a dramatic format or by using another learning style," Hoerner said.

"I read, I read, I read a vast amount of literature," she said. "I will not teach literature that has no meaning. Literature must elevate student thinking and behavior."

Hoerner herself has dabbled in writing, though she has not yet published.

"Back in the days of the typewriter, I wrote two pieces," she said. "Because of using a typewriter, I put so much effort into (my writing), it was too personal (to publish.) I made copies of it and neatly wrapped it in plastic."

Hoerner's daughter and husband have read the historical fiction homesteading novel and the short novel based on Hoerner's mother's life, and have encouraged her to revise and publish. When Hoerner is not substitute teaching, she may do just that.

"I love kids," she said. "I can't wait for the next opportunity. I really feel God is telling me I need to be an instrument of love. Subbing is great because I can come in as a servant to help people out and maintain relationships with kids."

In whatever free time those activities may leave, Hoerner enjoys spending time with her grandchildren, camping, hiking and boating with her husband. The couple is very active and enjoy long walks around their property.

"Health is something really important to me," she said, recalling bouts of past illnesses. "In retiring, I want to be well. I don't take days off (from teaching). When I'm gone I feel like I failed my students. I'm the mother teacher, here all the time. I'm going to enjoy life with rest, nutritious food and laughing and loving, loving and laughing.

"Someone told me I'm like a hummingbird," Hoerner said. "That's my mission in retirement, to be a hummingbird dispensing love."