Hulley retires after 'truly wonderful' 30 years

Tracy Hulley didn’t plan on pursuing a teaching career until midway through college. But once she chose that path there was no turning back, not even when an exciting detour with great views came along.

At the end of June, 35 years after she traded her job as a United Airlines flight attendant for the classroom – and 30 years after coming to Buffalo High School – Hulley is retiring with no regrets and a reservoir of gratefulness that welled up into tears as she reflected on three decades at BHS.

“I’ve had a great career. It couldn’t have been any better,” Hulley said. “Every last thing has been good. Where’d that 30 years go? All I know is that it was wonderful. It was truly wonderful.”

Her colleagues felt the same way.

“Tracy Hulley is my favorite teacher. Her warmth, kindness, and humor transcend all age levels,” said BHS social studies and AVID teacher Lacy Schramm. 

“Simply put, Tracy Hulley is one of the top five educators I’ve worked with over my 28 years in education,” said BHS Principal Mark Mischke. “She made me better every time I talked with her, and created an atmosphere in her classroom that made all kids feel welcome. There will never be another Tracy Hulley. I will miss her dearly.”

Taking flight
Hulley credited her father for helping develop her love of history, and she thoroughly enjoyed her own experiences as a student in Watertown and at Gustavus Adolphus College. Still, she never considered teaching until a professor nudged her in that direction during her sophomore year of college.

“I was a history major and I didn’t really know what I wanted to do with that,” Hulley said.

After returning to Watertown to observe teachers at work during a J-term, Hulley made up her mind that teaching would be her life’s work, a resolve that was immediately put to the test when she graduated and found social studies jobs in short supply. With few options in her field of choice, Hulley went to work for the airlines, flying out of Washington, D.C., for nearly four years. 

“I loved being a flight attendant,” said Hulley. “It was really fun. But there was something in me that wanted to try to make a difference, to do something that was a little more meaningful. There’s only so far you can go as far as developing relationships on a flight.”

Eventually she returned to Minnesota and took a part-time teaching job at Lutheran High in Mayer. Three years later she took a long-term substitute position in Watertown-Mayer, followed by other subbing jobs, before she was hired at Buffalo High School in 1994.

Embracing relationships
While she had a passion for her subject matter, Hulley particularly treasured the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of her students.

“A lot has changed over 30 years, but one thing I think that has not changed with kids is that they still want to be seen and heard and valued and loved,” Hulley said. “I just like coming every day to work to do that. Isn’t that just such a great job?”

Hulley’s knack for putting students at ease and investing in them personally as well as academically was second-to-none.

“One thing that has stood out to me, and inspired me, is how good Tracy is at making meaningful connections with her students,” said fellow BHS social studies teacher Craig Lachowitzer. “She is incredibly talented at making students feel valued and appreciated, and she has one of the most positive atmospheres of any class I have been in at Buffalo High School.”

Schramm agreed that students took note of Hulley’s sincere kindness and interest, and flourished in special activities she arranged like Person of the Day to highlight the students in her classes. 

“Tracy has a calm, warm way of connecting with people that is very special,” Schramm said. “As a peer she is a wonderful role model and someone we all turn to for advice, whether that be in the classroom or for life.”

Highlights
One of Hulley’s most memorable classroom activities was The News Game, a current events competition in which students broke into groups, put all their electronics away, and learned about each other as well as the world.

“It fosters a group talking and working together, to look at each other, to be a team, to have a sense of joy when they get things right,” said Hulley. “It’s fun to see a kid who maybe doesn’t talk much know about different subject matter and give an answer and the whole team will go, ‘Oh my gosh!’ And this kid that no one has seen talk walks out of the room that day with their head held high. When I see kids I had 20 years ago they’ll ask if I’m still playing The News Game. It’s one of the best things I’ve ever done.”

Outside of the classroom, Hulley also worked with the Junior Class Cabinet to organize prom in every one of her 30 years at the school. She also served as an advisor for the Students Stepping Up group.

“At the height of it I probably had 75 kids going out into elementary classrooms once a week to help teachers. I was really proud of that program,” said Hulley, adding that it ended when the elementary and secondary school schedules changed to different start times. “That program was one of my favorites. I’m still in contact with some of those students, and some of them have become teachers themselves.”

Hulley also thanked former teachers like Laurie Raymond who helped her grow as an educator, as well as the entire school staff – from bus drivers and nutrition services personnel to the custodians and office staff – who allow each school day to run smoothly.

“Everybody plays a role. I would have never been able to do my job without the ESPs and tech people and everyone who supported and helped me,” she said. 

BHS social studies teacher Michael Curry did his student teaching with Hulley in 2011, and said her influence has been foundational.

“Without her guidance and willingness to help others, I would not be where I am today,” Currey said. “I owe Tracy Hulley a huge debt of gratitude and will miss her every day as I walk the halls of Buffalo High School.”

Retirement plans
Although she has finished her final school year, Hulley is still teaching summer school until the end of June and plans to continue subbing next year.

“I can’t just quit BHS cold turkey,” she said with a laugh. 

But she plans to spend at least four months over the winter with her husband in his native Fort Myers, Florida, and may gradually spend more time there in the years ahead. She is also looking forward to more flexibility to spend time with her adult children.

While the decision to retire was difficult, Hulley has planned all along to step away at the 35-year mark.

“Boy did those years just fly by, and all of a sudden here it is,” she said. “I know this is the right decision, but I’ll tell you what, my heart has been slow to catch up to my head. I’m so appreciative that I was given this opportunity. I love this place.”