Beloved Ashland Teacher Gets Huge Surprise

Hulmer Plans To Retire After 37 years

Ashland, Wis.

For nearly four decades Christine Hulmer has taught band at Ashland High School.

Hulmer has raised 4 outstanding boys; all who went through her class and according to her has an amazing husband that took care of the homestead while she worked long hours.

“My husband gets mother’s day cards from my sons. He takes care of things at home that I can’t” Hulmer said.

She may know every inch of the program now. But there was a time when even she didn’t know everything.

“Maybe not even knowing what I’m doing sometimes and thinking if I do this it will work out, everything will work out. It will be just fine.”

Even through her own trials and tribulations she managed to touch the lives of thousands that moved through her program.

“Mrs. Hulmer inspired me when I was a band student here. She was one of the most influential people in my life in high school. She’s inspired so many people so were all coming here to pay tribute,” former student Jon Huybrecht says.

A night that was supposed to be just a normal farewell concert turned in to much more than that.

“I can’t believe all these people came, miles, miles and miles and showed up here.” says Hulmer.

Unbeknownst to her, hundreds of former students found out she was retiring and put a plan in place. Some traveling across the world to pay tribute to the hard work and dedication she put into every student for over 30 years.

“It holds true. You touch these lives; you truly touch a life when you know your bringing it across the world from Germany,” Hulmers Son, Brett Hulmer.

“Seeing everyone come back, it’s kind of eye opening to be honest, it’s like holy crap, she’s influenced this many people,” Hulmers son, Beau Hulmer.

Finding words to explain how she feels is hard to come

“This was outstanding, outstanding, it’s beautiful.” says Hulmer.

It takes a lot to be a teacher. Patience may have played a factor in her prolonged career. Gaining her students respect while showing them the same proves why the night was so special.

“She kind of just had that type of personality where she didn’t even have to speak loud. She would just say hey everyone, let’s get together and we kind of all just automatically pay attention because she was so well respected, that we would respect her as well,” Huybrecht says.

“I knew all along that she was a great teacher. I knew the whole time everybody respected her for what she did and what she brought to the community,” Brett Hulmer.

Every now and then there’s just one of those teachers that can have an impact on your life, even with not being in it.

“My sister says it best. She said I didn’t even have Mrs. Hulmer as a band teacher but she was a big influence on my life.”

Hulmer never planned to retire.

“You never think about the end of your teaching career. I never thought about it because I thought I would just work with kids forever.”

And in a way she kind of will be as the band will have another Hulmer leading the charge in the fall.

“Passing the baton to my son as a band director is an honor.” Hulmer says.

At that moment Mrs. Hulmer had a since of relieve.

“When it was over I felt a since of, wow.” says Hulmer

Those that know her the best know that she won’t sit still for long.

“I hope she just learns to like kick it out in the sun and read a book and chill. Really she’ll probably be butting in on me, very much so and wondering what’s going on” Brett Hulmer.