LOUISVILLE, Ky. — As schools across the Commonwealth wrap up the school year, a handful of teachers may not be back for the fall semester.

In a nationwide poll of educators, around one in three teachers said the COVID-19 pandemic has made them more likely to retire or leave the profession.

Lowe Elementary kindergarten teacher Tymna Oberhausen is a 36-year veteran in public education who just completed a year unlike any other.

"I knew I was going to retire and I didn’t want to go out online. I wanted them in the classroom," Oberhausen said. "Just felt like we worked even harder than ever and I like to say I don’t feel like I made as big of difference, but I know I did."

Last spring, when the pandemic forced schools to close their doors to in-person learning , educators like Oberhausen were forced to adapt their lesson plans to an online setting.

"Just that paper pencil, how to hold a pencil, you can’t do that on screen," Oberhausen said.

The mother of three has refused to let her students fall behind, making it her mission to still implement the curriculum with her own creative flare.

"It’s where learning starts and their love of learning starts. So, I love to have fun while teaching. I’m the one who loves to dresses up like a pirate on Talk Like a Pirate Day," she said.

As a veteran educator, she said it's her passion to sit down with her students individually and see the lightbulb go off.

"I just love the light that comes on in their eyes and just seeing them grow, especially kindergarten," Oberhausen said.

A recent survey by the National Education Association showed nearly one in three educators said the pandemic has made them more likely to retire or leave the profession. 

Oberhausen pondered leaving teaching for a couple of years, but she celebrated a milestone on Thursday. 

"It was just time to take care of myself. I think the pandemic made a lot of people realize you know I need to take care of myself and spend time with my family as much as I can," Oberhausen said.

As education leaders reflect on the past school year, Lowe Elementary Principal Sean Russell admires his staff as they worked to prevent student learning loss. 

"Looking back I feel very positive about the work that we did. In the moment it felt like a lot," Russell said. 

Despite that national poll showing teachers considering retirement or a new career, a JCPS spokesperson said there's not a significant change in the number of educators leaving their district.

"There is no group of people who work harder than teachers. They give themselves mornings, nights, weekends, people don’t see that behind the scenes," Russell said.

After all this time, Oberhausen is closing the chapter on her time teaching while inspiring generations to come. 

"It’s the kids. I made my list of things I'll miss and things I won’t miss, but the kids are up at the top."

As Oberhausen prepares for retirement, she is planning a well deserved vacation to Disney World in August.