HERRIN, Ill. (WSIL) -- This teacher appreciation week, one local school is celebrating the retirement of a longtime cornerstone of their education.Â
After 4 decades of shaping young minds at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School, Mrs. Lisa Cochran is set to retire at the end of this academic year.
Jason Swann, Principal of OLMC, emphasizes the generations of students that have passed through her classroom.Â
"When you've been here and you've taught with the success and the longevity that Mrs. Cochran has, you have parents that come through and now you're teaching their children so that familiarity just allows that understanding of that family atmosphere and that success that she's had," said Mr. Swann.
She dedicated her 41 year tenure to OLMC, the only school she called her professional home.Â
One former student says Mrs. Cochran inspired her to pursue education and now teaches right next door alongside her.Â
"I was so excited whenever I got here and I was able to teach with my favorite teacher, the most inspirational teacher I had," said Shandra Gosha, kindergarten teacher at OLMC.
"The first few years I taught fourth grade, so she was right next door and helped me just like whenever I was little."
Lisa Cochran says she still plans on substitute teaching in the area and being involved with the school. "It just warms my heart and I chose the right field," said Mrs. Cochran. "This is what I was meant to do."
As Mrs. Cochran explores new avenues to pour her passion, administrators say her legacy of serving the school will continue to inspire students, educators, and the families at OMLC.
