BREMERTON — On May 21, Cottonwood Elementary had an exercise in controlled, at times unbridled, chaos.

Pre-teens in pink shirts and bright helmets whirled across the gymnasium floor on unicycles; some riding high enough to dunk a basketball, some low enough to scrape their shoes on the hardwood.

Hundreds of their young peers watched from the edges of the gym, gathered in assembly.

But nothing the kids from the Central Kitsap School District Unicycle Team did inspired awe. Not the three-wheeled unicycle, not kids maneuvering obstacles on unicycles, not the teams of unicyclists twirling in circle hand-in-hand. Nope, none of them.

The kids were impressed, no doubt. But awed? Not completely.

What did inspire awe was when Principal Bethany LaHaie told them Gail Smith, master and commander of this war on gravity, had been teaching at Cottonwood since 1978.

The collective “Whoa” lasted five seconds.

Smith is the only PE teacher Cottonwood has ever had. She’s been teaching at Cottonwood longer than many of her students’ parents have been alive.

“And I’ve loved every minute of it,” Smith said, who’s retiring after 37 years. “I get to see these kids grow.”

Smith started at Cottonwood after college. She said her favorite part of teaching is when a new idea clicks for a student.

“I live for the kids that are struggling and finally get it,” Smith said, smiling in a way that belies her age.

After the unicyclists finished their demonstration, LaHaie and former Cottonwood music teacher Leah Riggs presented Smith with a plaque. It read: “Gail Smith, Our Beloved PE Teacher; For Her Dedication and Leadership to the Students, Staff and Community of Cottonwood Elementary From 1978-2015.”

Although, she’s retiring, Smith will still be around.

“I know that I’m going to have a problem just leaving,” Smith said. “I’m going to come back and volunteer.”