As the academic year concludes, for many teachers it will also mark the end of a lifetime dedicated to the education sector.
Among those leaving the profession this year is Christine Dolaghan, who is calling time on more than three decades of educating young people.
Spending the vast majority of her 35-year career at St John the Baptist PS in west Belfast, Ms Dolaghan said "now is the time to go".
"I still have a real feel-good factor for teaching, so I'm going out on a high," she said.
Beginning her teaching career in September 1987 at a primary school in the east end of London, she said she moved to England in pursuit of a job amid a shortage of posts in Northern Ireland.
"It was a great experience teaching in London, I spent two years there and then I moved to Madrid," she said.
"I'm a linguist so I just flew over and rang round a few schools and got work there, which was fantastic.
"I then thought I should come home, did some subbing and spent a year at the old St Aidan's Christian Brothers' PS in Ballymurphy.
"In January 1993, I joined St John the Baptist and was based in the boys' school and later that year I was made permanent and have been here ever since.
"Since then, I have taught every year group, apart from primary one. I prefer teaching the wee ones whereas at the start I was used to teaching the older ones.
"My class is P2, which is where I am finishing and I have loved every minute."
Asked about the changes in education since her career began, Ms Dolaghan said special educational needs (SEN) provision for pupils and paperwork are high up on her list of issues facing teachers.
There are significant budget cuts on the sector and concerns about a "significant shortfall" in special school places.
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"The biggest issue is SEN, I have six pupils on an IEP (individual education plans) so that has to be factored in," she said.
"It is definitely up there with the biggest issues, as is the paperwork which is just immense.
"Chris (Donnelly, school principal) is very good in helping to try and make it as easy as possible, but you can become so bogged down by it all.
"But I have always tried to remember that, yes it's a hard job and you know there will be trying times, but it's totally rewarding."
The senior teacher, whose retirement was marked with celebrations at St John the Baptist PS on Friday, added that she would still encourage people to pursue a teaching career.
"It's not about the money, you know what you're getting into when you start and what I would say to those considering teaching is do it if you enjoy it," she said.
"Yes there have been tough times, such as during the pandemic, but we have such a happy place here and I've always seen it as a happy job.
"I'm going at a good time, I'm going at a time when I still enjoy teaching, I've never lost that spark.
"I'm still very happy, but I turned 60 in March and with my husband retiring, now is the time to go. I still have a real feel-good factor for teaching, so I'm going out on a high."
On her plans for retirement, Ms Dolaghan said travelling will be among her priorities.
"We had plans to live in Spain, but for now it's going to be a lot of travelling," she said.
"I also plan to do a bit of the Camino. I still love teaching and I've had the best year with it being my last.
"The last 35 years have been so rewarding with memories that will never be forgotten, but I'm looking forward to seeing what lies ahead."
