When Dr. Silvia Koch walks into a classroom, she brings more than a lesson plan. She brings kindness, laughter, and a clear sense of purpose. Teaching, to her, is not only about lessons and grades. It’s a calling shaped by faith and compassion and a promise to ensure every student feels valued and supported.
That belief has guided Koch throughout her career in education, one that began decades ago and continues today at Chaminade University.
Born in Germany, Koch moved to Hawai‘i at age 3, speaking only German. She grew up in Wahiawā, where the local community taught her humility, kindness, and the importance of serving others. Those early experiences shaped her belief that education is a lifelong calling.
“Education has never been just a job to me,” Koch said. “It’s a calling to serve, to lift others up, and to remind every student they matter.”
Her passion for helping others led her to pursue higher education on the mainland. She earned a Master of Education in School Counseling and later a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Administration from the University of Southern California. Her research focused on how students with learning disabilities adapt to college, demonstrating her commitment to making education more supportive and inclusive for all.
Returning home, Koch dedicated over three decades to Hawai‘i’s Department of Education, counseling students at schools such as Kipapa Elementary in Mililani. She guided countless young people through academic challenges and personal growth, helping them believe in their potential.
Even while working full-time in the DOE, Koch began teaching as an adjunct instructor at Chaminade University in 2007. She continued balancing both roles until retiring from the DOE in June 2023, when she transitioned into a full-time faculty position at Chaminade the following month.
“Chaminade is a family,” she said. “The Marianist values of service, community, and faith are the same ones I grew up with. Being here truly feels like home.”
Now teaching in the Master of Science in Counseling Psychology program, Koch blends theory with empathy. This fall, she teaches PSY 611: Group Processes, a graduate course that helps students develop real-world counseling and group facilitation skills. In her classes, she focuses on connecting lessons to students’ experiences and purpose.
“My classroom has no walls,” she said. “Sometimes on a Saturday or Sunday night, I’m on the phone or FaceTiming someone who needs help. It’s not a burden. It’s what I’m meant to do.”
That approach left a lasting impression on former student Eleanor Akeli, who took Psychology 101 with Koch. Akeli remembers the course as engaging, meaningful, and deeply personal.
“Her class was more than just lectures,” Akeli said. “We got involved in activities and discussions that made learning enjoyable. She ties everything to real life and helps us understand ourselves.”
Akeli recalled a classmate who struggled with anxiety during a presentation. Koch worked with her to find another way to share her project, a gesture Akeli said revealed Koch’s compassion.
“That showed how supportive she is,” Akeli said. “She wanted everyone to succeed.”
In Koch’s office, photos of former students fill the walls. Each image is a reminder of the students she has guided and the lasting impact she hopes they’ll carry into their own lives.
“I want my students to walk out differently than when they walked in,” she said. “When they hear my name, I hope they smile and remember they were seen and supported.”
Her passion for teaching has never faded. Koch said she still finds joy in every class and keeps her spirit light through laughter and music.
“I don’t take myself too seriously,” she said with a smile. “Sometimes I’ll close my door, sing, play my guitar, or dance all by myself. You have to leave your baggage outside and give your best.”
Looking ahead, she hopes her students lead with kindness, faith, and perseverance.
“Dream big,” she said. “If you can’t reach the moon, catch the nearest star. Don’t let anyone discourage you. If you want something badly enough, you can do it.”