Dorena Koopman

The Fresno Bee occasionally gets things right, this article doesn't get it all, but comes close. Koop will be missed.

Dorena Koopman, a beloved German teacher at Bullard High School for more than three decades, died Friday after a long battle with breast cancer.

Ms. Koopman, 57, had been battling cancer for more than 11 years, according to close friends.

She taught at Bullard for 32 years and had been with Fresno Unified School District for 34 years, said district spokeswoman Susan Bedi.

Glenn Starkweather, Bullard High's principal, said she was an inspirational instructor who had a special way of connecting with her students. "She was a very passionate, well-respected teacher," he said.

She originally taught language arts at Bullard but found her niche teaching German. Starkweather said Ms. Koopman immersed her students in the language and was instrumental in helping to develop a German language program at Baird Middle School, a Bullard feeder school.

She developed a tradition at Bullard of adapting plays into German for her students to perform twice a year. Last year it was "Hansel and Gretel," Starkweather said. The plays were performed in front of packed houses of family and friends of students. But it was Ms. Koopman who beamed most on performance night because she was so proud of her students, he said.

"As an educator, she was outstanding. The kids were always first. Everything she did was to ensure success for the students," he said.

Others in the district took notice.

In March, she was nominated by her peers for Fresno Unified's "Excellence in Education" award, which recognizes outstanding service. She tied with another teacher for the honor in the high school division. Although she was sick, she attended the awards presentation, Bedi said. Yasmin Assemi, a film student at University of Southern California who graduated from Bullard in 1998, said Ms. Koopman was the kind of teacher students could turn to for anything. "She was always there for students, before class, after class. She really taught you a lot and really cared."

Friends said Ms. Koopman was a fighter who battled cancer bravely.

When she was first diagnosed, her cancer was already advanced. With treatment, including chemotherapy, it appeared she had defeated the odds. However, less than five years later, the cancer had spread to her lung. It eventually spread to her liver, then brain, said longtime friend Elaine Collet, a former teacher. She taught throughout her illness and was very open with students. "The students, and being in the classroom, was her best medicine because it kept her going," Collet said.

Ms. Koopman finally stopped teaching March 26 and said her final goodbyes to students, said close friend Jane Hammaker.

In the weeks following, students, parents, and the generations she taught at Bullard flooded Ms. Koopman's home with more than 500 letters, notes and e-mails. Hammaker said among her most treasured gifts was an 82-page photo album that current and former students put together and delivered about a week before Ms. Koopman's death. The photo album was also placed on the Internet.

She never liked the spotlight, said those who knew her. There are no funeral services planned; she will be cremated.

However, Hammaker said there will be a celebration of her life at Bullard High School on May 5 - the date her students would have been performed their next play in German. It is scheduled to take place at 7 p.m. in the school theater where students, or "Koop's Troop" will share memories on stage.

"She didn't want anything, so she probably doesn't want this," said Hammaker. "But, I think she may like it because this is going to be good for the students."