Students throw surprise party for retiring teacher Bonnie David Third graders Alex Anderson, right to left, Rachel VandeHei and Rachel Morgan, present Mrs. Bonnie David a retirement present of all her students' signatures during her surprise party at Suamico Elementary School on Thursday (photo by Tina Gohr). By Tina M. Gohr News-Chronicle A couple of dozen students scurried into the library at Suamico Elementary School on Thursday, quietly sitting at tables lined with paper plates and cups. A hush rippled across the room. With the students in place, plus room parents and the generous donation of Townline Grill's pizzas, a surprise party was ready to unfold in honor of retiring third-grade teacher Bonnie David. Moments later, David walked into the library for what she believed was a meeting. Choruses of "Surprise!'' came from the well-wishers. David is one of seven teachers who will retire from the Howard-Suamico School District next week. David has been a teacher for 35 years, including the last six in Suamico. After the pizza lunch, each student read a personal thank-you and presented roses and hugs to a teary-eyed David. David then was presented with a "shadow box" containing gifts - ranging from tension-removing foam apples to her favorite, chocolate - from each of her students. The difference between a 1968 student and a 2003 student is not as colossal as one might think. "There's more of a direction, accountability and responsibility today than there was when I first started. The students come with more 'baggage,' but whatever the year, they still need the love. They were great back then as they are now," she said as she fought back tears. "I will miss them so much." David said her retirement will include further learning, spiced with adventure while "not keeping a schedule. I'll continue with lifelong learning (classes), but I also want to do things I've tried and didn't have the time to develop." Horseback riding, scuba diving and hot-air ballooning are on that list. "Her words to live by," said fellow third-grade teacher Melissa Chrisman, "are 'you are responsible for you.' She's also a teacher who didn't go by a strict guideline. She never did the same project twice with her students. Bonnie always had new ideas and projects for them. To me, that's phenomenal." What have students taught her in 35 years? "Never limit their expectations," she said. "Their minds are so creative and open, and given the chance they'll never let you down."