After 33 years, Van Buren Elementary School teacher Sarah Burke is taking a load of memories with her from working with Brown County’s youngest students.

One was of a little boy who would come up behind her and lay his head on her shoulder to say, “I lub yew, Mrs. Burke” every morning.

Another is of a girl who was concerned about the fish in the classroom aquarium. “Mrs. Burke, I would be so sad if one of them drownded,” she exclaimed.

Then there was the student named William who thought his middle name was “Yum.”

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Burke has left some impressions behind, too.

When Brown County Schools Superintendent Laura Hammack began teaching in Brown County, she met a smiley “darling lady” in “cute, little penny loafers” at a staff meeting.

“When I saw Sarah Burke, I said, ‘That’s who I want to be. I want to be like her,’” Hammack said during a May 17 retirement reception for teachers.

“You are an absolute inspiration to the boys and girls. You are so amazing. We are so grateful for you, so thank you from the bottom of our hearts here in Brown County. … We will miss you desperately.”

Q: How long have you been a teacher, and where?

A: I have been teaching 33 years, all in Brown County Schools. I taught for three years at Helmsburg Elementary School, then I came to Van Buren Elementary School and taught kindergarten until this year. This year I taught pre-kindergarten.

Q: What made you decide to be a teacher?

A: I have always been a nurturing kind of person, even as a child. My mom always said “You should be a teacher!”

Q: What are you most looking forward to about retirement?

A: I am most looking forward to having my own schedule. I am also looking forward to spending more time with my dear husband. We are planning to spend the rest of our lives at our home on the lake in northern Indiana.

Q: What will you remember most about teaching?

A: I will remember all of the love given to me by hundreds of children, their smiles, their innocence and their desire to please me. It’s very, very humbling. I have many memories of little kids expressing their love only how they can.

Q: How would you describe your time at Brown County Schools?

A: I consider Van Buren Elementary School my second home, because it quite literally has been for 30 years or so. I have grown up in these halls right along with many young scholars over the years.

Q: What’s one piece of advice you’d give to a new teacher?

A: Look for the good in each child and build on it. Let them know when they do well even if it seems to be a tiny success. Recognize hard work over the finished product. Smile and have fun. Try to meet challenges with calm and joy. Also, put your head down and teach. Try not to pay too much attention to the non-teaching things going on around you.

Q: Is there anything else you’d like to add?

A: I feel proud to now be able to say that I am a retired teacher. I feel it is one of the most noble professions in the entire world.