45-Year Teacher Gets Surprise Farewell with Drum and Zurna, Husband's Gesture Moves Everyone

In Adana, mathematics teacher Nevin Yeşilyaprak, who retired after 45 years of service, was bid farewell with an unforgettable surprise at the school where she worked. Her husband Mustafa Yeşilyaprak, also a teacher, prepared a special farewell for her, as she had been teaching at İsmet İnönü Girls' Vocational High School for about 39 years. Mustafa arrived at the school with a drum and zurna (traditional Turkish instruments) team, holding flowers to greet his wife. Nevin was greatly surprised and emotional, hugging her husband. Teachers and students applauded this meaningful moment.

Mustafa Yeşilyaprak, who has been married to Nevin for 40 years, shared his feelings. He said, "I got very emotional today. My wife has been a teacher for 45 years. I feel like we are starting a new life. I hope we will have good days ahead." He explained that the idea of using drum and zurna came to him suddenly: "We are village children, so we love drum and zurna. I thought we should do something nice. We went with a mehter march and picked up our teacher. She didn't expect it. It was a beautiful and different moment. Teachers and students were happy too."

Nevin Yeşilyaprak stated that she was first surprised and then happy. She said, "It's my 45th year, let's say 44 years are over. My husband's surprise happened. I was uneasy at first but then very happy. It was a very different final school year for me." Expressing her deep love for her profession, she said the school where she spent years was like a second home. She noted that she had been working at İsmet İnönü Girls' Vocational High School since 1990, and before that, she worked at Karataş High School for 8 years. "I chose and did my profession with great love. It never felt difficult. Leaving was hard for me," she added.

The experienced teacher explained that the retirement process brought mixed feelings. She said she started each school year with the same excitement as the first day. "I used to feel the same excitement every September. Now there is sadness, but I hope God grants me a healthy retirement." She expressed that she did not expect a farewell with drum and zurna, thanked her husband, and said such a surprise was unforgettable for her. Other teachers and students at the school also witnessed this meaningful farewell and experienced emotional moments.

This event once again highlighted how sacred and respectable the teaching profession is. Nevin Yeşilyaprak, who educated thousands of students over 45 years, will be remembered with love by her colleagues and students. The surprise by her husband Mustafa set a beautiful example of how creative and emotional retirement ceremonies can be. This farewell in Adana also resonated widely on social media and was appreciated by many.