COCOLALLA — A special teacher's influence follows students their entire lives, claiming a corner of their hearts from which curiosity, intellect and knowledge flow. Marcia Wanous is one of those outstanding teachers whose passion for education and love for her students has enriched the lives of hundreds, perhaps thousands, throughout the years.

As a child, Wanous attended Southside Elementary in Cocolalla from first through eighth grade, and has now taught at the school for 34 years. She will retire this June, much to the regret of fellow educators, administrators, parents and students.

"The same principal I had in first grade was still here when I started teaching," she said.

However, some of the building was new. One of the buildings burned down when Wanous was in eighth grade, so she and her classmates had to finish the year at Sagle Elementary.

As local as a local can be, Wanous grew up on a farm just a mile from the school. She and her husband raised their two sons on the same farm, and the boys have now taken over management of the hay fields and cattle. After she retires, she plans to continue living there, although she will travel as well.

After Wanous graduated from high school, she got her first taste of teaching by taking charge of a Sunday school class, which met in a school bus for lack of another space.

"I loved it," she said. "I thought it was something I could do to help people and make a difference."

She went to North Idaho College for two years and then completed her teaching degree at Eastern Washington University. After a two-year stint at Idaho Hills school, Wanous secured a post at Southside, where she has taught ever since.

For most of her 36-year career, she has been a first-grade teacher, but she "looped" with a second-grade educator for 16 years, she said. Each of them stayed with the same group of students from first through second grade.

"You really get to know the kids and the families. The tough part is giving up the class after two years," Wanous said.

She has seen plenty of changes in curriculum during her teaching tenure, but has a philosophical view of those shifts in educational focus.

"Education is a pendulum. It swings back and forth. Lately, it hasn't moved as much, but it's always changing. Some of the new ideas are the same ones we did years ago," Wanous said.

Her students' level of knowledge has changed, too. She thinks students come into first grade more academically advanced that they used to be.

"More families are putting children in preschool, so standards are higher. Teachers are expected to teach at a higher level," she said.

When she started teaching at Southside, the school didn't have room for a kindergarten, so kindergarten students attended class at the View Cafe on Highway 95. Many students started school in first grade without the benefit of preschool or kindergarten, so the curriculum was far simpler.

Wanous said her favorite part of her career has been the students, especially in those moments when they learn something completely new.

“You can see the light bulb turn on. They're all excited about learning," she said.

Wanous believes that a good teacher needs to truly love children and be passionate about the job, which can be draining but extremely rewarding. Teachers, parents and students should work together with the children's best interests at heart.

"We're a team together. They (parents) love their children as much as I do, probably more," she said with a hint of a smile.

She said that her upcoming retirement will be bittersweet. While she looks forward to having the time to relax and work on the farm, she will miss her first-grade classes. However, Wanous has plans to continue pursuing her avocation. She will teach Sunday school at her church and volunteer next year at Southside. This summer, she will go to Alaska to teach vacation Bible school in a remote village.

"I have worked with amazing people (at Southside). And the students here are like family. I have taught the children of some of my former students," Wanous said.

"We're family- and community-oriented. It's so bittersweet to retire, but it's time for someone more energetic and enthusiastic to take over.

“It's been a good 36 years."