NORTH SALT LAKE -- After 25 years, Merrilyn Olsen is hanging up her teacher's chalk at the end of this school year to spend time with her grandchildren. Her high-fives, hugs, and "fairy dust" will be greatly missed in kindergarten at Orchard Elementary. Olsen is a hands-on teacher who stresses student responsibility, parental involvement, and personal interaction with the world. For example, her class will adopt a tree for the year, go outside by the tree, and tell a story for each season.

"I have kids in college come up to me in the mall and ask, 'Have you seen our tree?'" Olsen said. "It's so fun. I love teaching. I love children."

Her love for children translates into a unique classroom experience for her students --and their parents. She requires the parents of her students to help at least once over the year.

"My parents came into kindergarten and I always thought my teacher loved me best because they came," said Olsen. "Some parents say, 'I work' and I tell them that I need them and their child needs them."

Parents will share their careers or hobbies with the children. One dad, a pilot, helped them make paper airplanes. They also have helped the children measure the ingredients for bread and make it.

"It helps them learn about the world while they listen to each other's parents," said Olsen.

She feels sad that many schools are not having choosing time. She thinks choosing is important to learn in school, that children learn how to treat each other and how to fit in.

The biggest change she has seen is the diversity of students. Children used to run more in the middle of the spectrum. Now they are more divided with some more advanced in the learning process and some needing more help.

"Luckily, I've had a lot of parental involvement," said Olsen. "At first, they come to help their own children, but they become involved with those who don't have as much parental support. They enjoy it so much and so do the children. It's just magic."

As Olsen's student's leave for the day, they get a high five, a hug, or fairy dust (a tickle in the hair). The children remember this long after they leave her class. Olsen's husband Phil Olsen, former baseball coach at Bountiful High, came home one day and asked her what fairy dust was. One of his team members had fondly mentioned it to him.

Both of the Olsens have a strong family tradition in education. Olsen's mom was a home economics teacher, one of the first to graduate from BYU. Her father-in-law was an elementary principal. Now their youngest daughter is carrying on the tradition as a teacher in Farmington.

Olsen's name fits her. She was named Merrilyn because she was born with a smile and was always a happy person. She still is.

"It's a great life. I enjoy teaching -- it helps me be a better mom. And being a mom helps me be a better teacher," said Olsen. "I enjoy making a difference in a kid's life. It helps lift me up, too."