IRVING – At age 80, Nancy Martin needs a walker or a motorized scooter to get around Austin Middle School, but that doesn't stop her from teaching.

With doses of discipline and lessons on good manners, Mrs. Martin teaches far more than career development at the south Irving school.

"Many of the children see her as a grandmother, and they really do love her," co-worker Judy Hughes said. "It's a mutual respect. They are expected to be ladies and gentlemen."

In her 32 years at the school, Mrs. Martin has seen the surge in immigrant and poor families that has challenged teachers. But she has made the uncommon decision to adapt and remain long after many of her peers have retired.

Each morning, she teaches career connections, an elective course where students learn about various jobs.

"I love what I do, and I love the kids," said Mrs. Martin, who became a teacher after raising her own children. "It keeps me going. It gets me out of bed. It gives me a purpose."

Her classroom rules are posted on the wall: Have good manners; do not be rude; be considerate of others; do not be disrespectful; no gum; no tardies; and especially, no talking while Mrs. Martin is talking.

During a recent class, the students fell quiet when she spoke. They responded, "Yes, ma'am."

"Read those instructions. I don't want to hear, 'What do we do?' " she told them. "One. Two. Three. Go."

Mrs. Martin, who has arthritis, walked around slowly to check on them as they worked on their laptops. She's arranged their desks in a circle so she can make sure they're not on MySpace or YouTube.

"If I could teach them anything, it would be to listen and follow instructions – then they can be 'A' students," Mrs. Martin said. "That's my philosophy."

A plaque proclaiming her as the district's teacher of the year in 1980-81 is propped up to the wall. A poster on her classroom wall urges, "Learn from the past, live in the present, plan for the future."

Students often ask questions about the "old days," such as living through World War II or using a typewriter. When they're being lazy, she tells them, "Don't sit there like a bump on a pickle."

"That's our favorite line," said Jamela Brown, 14.

Mrs. Martin has become part of the school's story. Earlier this year, retired and current faculty members hosted a birthday party for her.

Frankie Greever, 76, a retired librarian, jokes that her former colleague has taught for about "100 years."

"It's a completely different school now," she said. "She's been able to adjust to all of that, and that's unusual. A lot of people when you get to her age are kind of grumpy and negative. But she certainly isn't."

For now, Mrs. Martin has no plans to leave. She told principal David Saenz – who is 28 years old – "When I keel over, they can carry me out."