In Ken Ulric's 37-year teaching career at Farmingdale High School, he has seen his fair share of challenging students and situations.

"For most teachers, they come up on a regular basis and you deal with them," Ulric explained. "And for most teachers, the extraordinary is ordinary."

However, the students are what Ulric is going to miss most when he retires after the school year ends. He said that watching these high school students blossom is one of his most incredible experiences in life.

"You're dealing with them as people and you're watching them turn into adults in their own right," Ulric explained. "It's often an absolute joy."

Ulric's days at FHS were spent teaching English and theater electives. He also directed plays at the high school. But when his 4-year-old grandson said "grandma has a house and grandpa has a school," referring to where Ulric spends most of his time, he thought it was time to retire.

"I want to turn that around as quickly as I can," Ulric said. "I just want to slow down for a while."

In addition, Ulric is stepping down from his position in the Farmingdale Federation of Teachers, where he has presided for the past six years. He was vice president for 16 years prior to that. Ulric said he sought an officer position because "at the time we were going through a very difficult time in the community and I felt that I could do a good job of trying to make the community see teachers as part of the community, because we are."

While packing up his office, Ulric said he has no regrets.

"After 37 years of this if I had to do it all over again, I'd do it all over again, no changes."

Ulric isn't leaving the educational community altogether. He has been elected to the board of directors of New York State United Teachers, the state teachers union, on a part time basis. He also plans to spend time on his hobby, making furniture.

"I intend to make a great deal of sawdust," Ulric quipped.

Ulric lives in Farmingdale with his wife, Laura, who is a member of the Farmingdale Public Library Board.