Erma Straw has made countless little friends and lifelong connections in her nearly 30 years as a preschool teacher.

"This has been the joy of my life," Straw said Friday. "Other than my family, it's been so, so wonderful. I met incredible families and had so much fun with their little ones. I don’t even know how to describe it."

Straw, 71, taught at the private pre-K Little Friends School for 29 years. When it closed in 2022, she expected she'd enter an early retirement.

With a roster full of little ones to teach, and families eager to keep Mrs. Straw one last year, a parent offered up a rec room above a three-car garage to use as classroom space.

Straw visited and found it to be perfect.

"It was huge, it had a fenced-in yard," Straw said.

Parents brought in toys and books to share and made sure Straw had everything she needed to create a classroom experience in an unconventional space.

"I had super parents. Talk about working together," Straw said. "I could not have asked for more."

Straw, of Post Falls, finally retired at the end of May.

"I can’t tell you how wonderful my last year was, unbeknownst to me how it would turn out," she said.

She will be celebrated at a party from 5 to 7 this evening at Riverstone Park in Coeur d'Alene.

"My son, James, was in Mrs. Straw's class this year. He loved it," said Joy Ledford, a party organizer. "She is incredible."

Ledford volunteered in Straw's classroom and saw, in person, the love and patience Straw shares with students.

"My favorite memory was watching her open her Christmas presents from the children," Ledford said. "She opened each thing slowly and was so delighted, grateful and touched."

Ledford said Straw taught kids more in that impromptu lesson than in many that were planned.

"She taught our kids how to love others, to be kind and gracious and to slow down and give others your full attention," Ledford said. "She also taught them to pray for owies and invite God into the small things, because His love for all of us is so big."

Riverstone Park is at 1805 Tilford Lane, Coeur d'Alene.

Families and friends whose children were students of Straw's are welcome.

Straw said she plans to stay in North Idaho.

"It’s hard to imagine, but people keep telling me retirement’s great. I will miss all these people," she said.

She is looking forward to seeing her little students out in the community.

"To watch them grow, they get so inquisitive and they're so honest," she said. "I just love them."