TETLIT'ZHEH/FORT MCPHERSON - When Jaksun Grice told his students he would be leaving his job at Chief Julius School for one in Inuvik, they threatened to tamper with his truck so he wouldn't be able to drive away.

"Joking around of course," the principal said. "They never like it when they (teachers) leave, despite you trying to tell them your reasons."

Grice is one of five teachers leaving Fort McPherson at the end of the school year for new jobs in other communities.

Starting next fall, he'll teach at Samuel Hearne Secondary School in Inuvik, where teachers Steve and Sandra Forbes are also moving after four years at Chief Julius.

Grice, who's lived in the hamlet for five years, said Fort McPherson is unlike other NWT communities, which experience high turnover rates every year.

"People usually stay and they put down roots and stay a few years, which is very positive for the school and community, and so I guess it's always harder when it is time to go when you've put in your time and you've become such a part of the community," he said. "It's going to be very sad to leave and I think that was reciprocated from the students as well," he added, admitting he got "kind of teary eyed" when the soccer team he coaches gave him a plaque and a pair of slippers as parting gifts.

The students, for their part, have done their best to offer genuine farewells.

"Since he's going to teach in Inuvik, I called him a traitor," laughed Grade 8 student Abigail Firth.

Firth said she's "a bit sad that they're leaving because they're good teachers and fun teachers," and that her favourite memories from principal Grice's time at the school are the soccer team field trips to Yellowknife he organized.

James Blake, a Grade 10 student, said he was surprised when the teachers announced they were leaving.

"I didn't expect them to leave," he said. "I feel like I want them to stay. It would be good if they stayed but they have their reasons to go."