ELLSWORTH – Since 1985, students have entered the doors of St. Francis School every day to learn from teacher Dawn Koch. This ranges from students still attending the school to people currently working at the school.

“It’s interesting now because I have students of students that I have taught,” Koch said. “For example, I taught the principal and I taught our fourth grade teacher.”

One of those students, Mark Matzek, is now the administrator of the school. Koch was Matzek’s kindergarten teacher, and Matzek was one of hundreds of students taught by Koch during 39 years of teaching. Those 39 years will come to an end when Koch retires at the end of the school year.

Matzek said Koch has become a “cornerstone” of the school and has had an effect on the lives of many other teachers and students.

“Somewhat of a cornerstone,” Matzek said. “[Koch has] been able to mentor countless teaching colleagues at the school, and then be a teacher to hundreds of students that have come through this hall.”

Through 12 years of teaching kindergarten, 26 years of teaching second grade and a year of teaching third grade, Koch said St. Francis has become a family.

“It’s like a family,” Koch said. “Coming here, it’s like just being home.”

Koch stuck around for 39 years because of a love for St. Francis and a love for teaching. The advice Koch gave to fellow teachers is to cooperate with other teachers, because they can help you in a time of need.

In Koch’s teacher spotlight, she wrote that she teaches the philosophy “In a world where you can be anything, be kind!”

Koch said the time spent with the students will be missed the most after retirement.

Plans for retirement include traveling with her spouse, Rollie, to visit her children. Koch has three children and three grandchildren.

Koch taught students the Sacraments of First Eucharist and Reconciliation, which Matzek said has made a spiritual impact on countless students’ lives.

“It’s honestly remarkable teaching almost 40 years,” Matzek said. “You talk about different feats that are done, and I think this is a big one.

“God broke a mold when he made Mrs. Koch,” Matzek said. “There’s no way that you can ever replace Mrs. Koch.”

After 39 years and hundreds of students taught, students will go through St. Francis School without being taught by Koch.