In September of 1973, Charlotte Levendosky began teaching sixth-graders all about science at Crest Hill Elementary School. She also taught social studies and a federally-funded gifted and talented program for three years in the middle of her stint.

She figures she built relationships with a couple of thousand students, all of whom received personal letters from her as they prepared to graduate from high school.

Now, it's time for the long-time educator to leave Casper after 36 years.

Daughters Alytia and Ixchel, 21 months apart, and the three grandsons, one of whom is 10 and two who are 6, are hosting a farewell reception for her on Thursday from 4 to 6 p.m., in the Guild Room at St. Mark's Episcopal Church.

Levendosky taught full-time for 22 years and worked part-time with the school's enrichment program for an additional nine years, all at Crest Hill.

She is moving to Fort Collins, Colo., where she and youngest daughter, Ixchel, have purchased a home together.

Levendosky knows something about sixth-graders, who now occupy that awkward "tween" place but in the last 30 years have been blooming just the same without a name for it.

"When I was teaching, the sixth-graders then were very accomplished in skills and very curious about what the world is about. Most have a very firm conviction that they're going to add something to the world, and they are just in the process of finding out what that might be," she said in an interview at her home this week.

Now, from what she's observed, sixth-graders are "much more self-centered and interested in the media world. They text messages back and forth and communicate on their telephones. They spend a great amount of time indoors at their computers."

Levendosky's home is filled with books and a giant dictionary graces a stand in the living room.

She thinks sixth-graders do not belong in the same schools with seventh- and eighth-graders.

"I think it's a mistake," she said about the middle school concept. "They are too young to be mixing with those kids, many of whom are becoming sexually active at 13 and 14."

Levendosky is a life-long learner who took seven classes this year through the OLLI "Osher Lifelong Learning Institute," at Casper College. She wanted to take nine, but two were canceled.

She is an avid follower of all things education and has opinions about an equal number.

Although opposed to sixth-graders attending school with older students, she does favor four-year high schools for strictly academic reasons.

"I think it's a good idea because ninth-graders should be more serious about what they're learning. I think there should be a continuity of programs, like the four years of foreign language for example," she said.

With a smile, she acknowledges that her three grandsons will "absolutely" be the world's smartest sixth-graders, and she is eager to volunteer at the school where her Fort Collins grandson will attend in first grade this fall.

She thinks the Natrona County School District is "making a mistake" by putting so much emphasis on computers in elementary schools, "because interaction between the teacher and student helps them on the road to being a real scholar more than a machine does," she said.

Though retired for several years now, Levendosky remains extremely active in community organizations including but not limited to her book club, the board of the Academy/International Baccalaureate program, League of Women Voters and her church.

Not surprisingly, the teacher who valued each relationship she made with her students over 31 years knows exactly what she'll miss the most about Casper as her life begins its new chapter: "The many people I have become close to."

Reach community news editor Sally Ann Shurmur at (307) 266-0520 or sallyann.shurmur@trib.com.