With a recognizable style, Jane Hirata officially retired this June from Louise Van Meter Elementary School after teaching second grade for 35 years at the school—and spending 36 years overall in education.

Van Meter Principal Rosanne Adona said she'll miss Hirata's creativity, sense of fashion and decorative touches. Hirata is known for making pillows, curtains, floral arrangements, shape books, interwoven art, beadwork and embroidery. Her personality and appearance reflect her original, resourceful ideas.

At her retirement celebration on May 25, Hirata was decked with a purple lei, dressed in a blue and purple outfit and had purple ribbons woven through her long, dark hair. With a beaming smile and a box of tissues on her lap, Hirata was emotionally touched by more than 100 friends, family members, parents and former and current students who attended the party.

"It was absolutely wonderful," Hirata said. "I was just thrilled to the core."

The festivities included a song by her second-grade students called "Camp Hirata," a video of Hirata's classroom memories and photos created by parent Robert Berry, and a performance by the entire Van Meter staff about Hirata. Her colleagues recalled her ability to make purses from jeans, turn sweatshirts into jackets, create animals from leaves, accessorize her outfits with matching eye shadow and brighten the staff room with ornate displays and bulletin boards. But what makes Hirata even more special is the profound impact she's had on the students in her classroom over the last 35 years.

Brittany Coletti, a freshman at Los Gatos High School, said she still has a pillow, plate and the little lint cat she made in Hirata's class.

"She really inspired me and made me the person that I am," Brittany said.

Robbie Catterton, of Los Gatos, was one of Hirata's oldest students in attendance at the May 25 assembly. He's 41 years old and had Hirata as his second-grade teacher. His fourth-grade daughter, Olivia, now takes stitchery classes from Hirata after school through the Los Gatos­Saratoga Community Education and Recreation Department. Catterton said Hirata is still as positive, energetic and open-minded as when he had her as a teacher.

"She holds what she does in her heart," he said.

Linda Nanez, a close friend and Hirata's colleague of 25 years, teaches first grade at Van Meter. Nanez said she'll miss Hirata's "contagious smile, helpful hand and positive words of encouragement."

"I'm going to miss her spunk. She's got a fun attitude," said co-worker Rebecca Rasmussen, who teaches special education. "It's amazing she's stayed in one place for so many years."

Hirata, 58, is retiring to Reno, where she and her husband bought a house two years ago. But they are keeping their San Jose home, so Hirata will still be back to visit.

"I just decided the time was right," Hirata said. "But I fully intended to teach until 61."

Hirata said she may continue to work as an aide, substitute teacher or librarian in the Reno area and might also explore teaching preschool, summer school or adult education. She just can't let go of her love for children. She's also a grandmother, so her retirement will permit her to spend more time with her family.

"It's been a really rewarding experience to stay in one classroom and one grade," Hirata said. "I'll miss the children the most, and the parents are wonderful."