By MICHELLE MILLER
Staff Writer

MILFORD — Frank Spurchise has been teaching fifthand sixth-grade science at Milford Central School since 1973, but says all good things come to an end at some point.

``In my heart, I feel the time is right,’’ said Spurchise, who will retire this week.

However, those who work with Spurchise said they wish he could stick around forever. During a middle school teachers’ meeting held Tuesday, Spurchise’s colleagues had nothing but kind words to say about him. The teachers agreed Spurchise has a knack with the kids. They also said he inspires them as teachers, and he has a way of making everyone feel special, not just the kids.

``He is Milford,’’ said fifth and sixth grade social studies teacher Rachel Wright. ``We will really have a hard time not having him here.’’

Wright said the faculty at MCS has really come to lean on and depend on Spurchise. Fifth and sixth grade math teacher Jennifer Maison agreed. She said the teachers look at Spurchise as a role model and can depend on him as a go-to guy.

First-year art teacher Katie Thomas said Spurchise always takes extra time to help out others. She said she is grateful he took her under his wing when she first began teaching at MCS.

The middle school teachers said Spurchise can never be found alone. They said many students eat lunch in his room, and when you walk by his classroom, it is full of kids having a lot of fun.

``The kids work to please him,’’ said Deloris Lawton, who works in the resource room.

Superintendent Peter Livshin said Spurchise has been like a backbone or foundation for the school. During the 11 years Livshin has been at MCS, he said Spurchise was one of the people to step up to the plate and help him get to know the atmosphere and culture of the district.

Spurchise, who coaches varsity boys soccer and basketball, plans to continue coaching at least one more year, and according to Livshin, the district would like him to continue being involved with the ``Life is Good’’ class that Spurchise was an instrumental part of creating.

Livshin said a few years ago, Spurchise became concerned about the behavior of the seventh-graders and that is how the idea of the yearlong class got started. The class is mostly directed toward the seventh-graders, but some continue with it through eighth grade. Livshin said the class has made a huge difference in the way MCS students survive those two difficult years of their lives.

Spurchise has coached soccer for 30 years and has put in 25 years between junior varsity and varsity basketball. Noreen Hogan, seventh and eighth grade English teacher, said Spurchise transforms his athletes from boys to gentlemen both on and off the field. They all respect him and play hard for him, she said.

Livshin said although Spurchase is a strict coach, he has a good rapport with his players.

``He is a good teacher of both soccer and basketball,’’ said Livshin.

Spurchise said he could not lose all ties with MCS and coaching will allow him to stay involved.

``I want to stay in touch with the kids and school,’’ said Spurchise. ``I have put in a lot of time here and I still feel attached.’’

Spurchise said he is ``absolutely happy’’ he became a teacher.

``This job has been kind of a gift to me,’’ said Spurchise. ``I have enjoyed coming to work. I still enjoy coming to work.’’

Spurchise said he is not quite sure if all teachers realize what kind of role they play in students’ lives. Teachers play an even greater role in students’ lives today because of the changes in the society, said Spurchise. The fifth and sixth graders are the ideal age to teach, according to Spurchise.

``They are just a fun group to work with,’’ said Spurchise. ``I get the best of both worlds, because I work all day with the younger kids, then I get to coach the older kids. It’s the ideal situation.’’ Spurchise said he has had to change as a teacher over the many years he has been teaching. He said his job does not just entail teaching a subject anymore; teaching is just so much more than that.

``You have to be interested in the kids and what they bring into the classroom,’’ said Spurchise.

Each student has their own problems or interests that he or she brings into the classroom, and teachers have to be ready to listen and try to help students deal with everyday life, said Spurchise. Spurchise said his teaching methods and style depend on the group of students each year. He said he basically teaches the same concepts each year, but changes the way he teaches those concepts based on the group of students.

``I change with them,’’ he said. ``Everyone and every group of students learns differently.’’ Spurchise said he likes everything about his students. He said every day is different and that is what makes his job so interesting. Spurchise, whose two sons and daughter all graduated from Milford, said he is not worried about filling his time after retirement. He says something always seems to come up, and he said he can always find something to occupy his time.

``It has been really nice teaching in a small school, there is nothing like it,’’ he said.