Students who arrived at Delaware Valley Regional High School on Wednesday morning were met with surprising news: first year psychology teacher, Susan Spolarich, is reportedly leaving the classroom to pursue a lifelong dream — becoming a zookeeper.

In what administrators are calling a “wild but admirable career pivot,” Spolarich announced plans to trade lesson plans for lemurs and hall passes for hyenas.

“I’ve always loved teaching,” Spolarich said. “But deep down, my heart has been with the animals. The grading? Very similar to feeding time at the zoo. You have to move quickly, stay organized and watch your fingers.”

Spolarich’s fascination with wildlife dates back to childhood trips to the zoo, where she was mesmerized by animal facts instead of souvenirs. Colleagues say the signs were there all along.

“She has excellent classroom management,” paraprofessional Kaitlyn Donnelly said. “If you can calm a room of freshmen on a Friday afternoon, you can probably handle a troop of monkeys.”

Students’ reactions are a mixture of shock and amusement.

“I mean, it makes sense,” freshman Addison Foley said. “She called me her ‘little duckling.’”

Concerns were expressed about what Spolarich’s departure means for her classes.

“I would just like clarification,” freshman Bree Burns said. “If she leaves before the final, does this mean the test leaves with her?”

Though Spolarich will miss her students and colleagues at Del Val, she feels ready for the upcoming change.

“Del Val has been a wonderful experience,” Spolarich said. “But next year, if I’m handing out food to a noisy crowd, at least there will be a sign explaining why.”

It was confirmed that “Zoo Studies” is not a current approved elective at Del Val, although interest appears to be growing rapidly.

Students report that hallway behavior has temporarily improved, as no one wants to be remembered as the reason why Spolarich chose the animals.