Dear Seniors,

Dear Seniors,


It is with a heavy heart that I send this message. As I heard the news that school closed for the rest of the year, my thoughts immediately turned to you. I know that you are processing today’s news as well, but I want you to know that I think the world of you. I got so lucky to have met you. I can’t help but think how in all the turnings of life we got matched up. Prior to this year, I had only taught Freshman and Creative Writing, so some of us had already gotten to know each other in those classes. This year, I thought it would be cool to teach Seniors as well - help with Capstone, see you all dressed up at prom, hugs at graduation. My request was granted, and I find it unfathomable that if that had not happened I never would have met, or gotten to know better, some of you. With my good fortune of meeting you stated, I am not writing this as a goodbye, but as a see you soon. I plan to be your teacher forever if you will have me. I don’t know what this next phase of our teacher-student relationship will look like, but I hope that you will go all-in with me. I am going to work as hard as I can to make our remaining time together meaningful, fun and engaging as I can, and I hope that you will come along with me.


Much Love,


Paul Koch

Dear Students, I Miss You.

Hey guys, I trust that you are well and spending some time resting and taking good care of yourself and the people around you. I hope that you are safe and healthy and finding time to do things that matter to you! I have been okay, a little bored already, but okay. I have been going for a morning walk - usually about 5 miles/day with my dog Katy.

While walking I mess around with PokemonGO. I know that ya’ll think that is corny, but it keeps me moving on my walk - Gotta Catch 'em All!

In case you know… 

I have tried a few other things to try to stay busy and feel productive. I challenged myself to do the following each day, and I even made a little chart in my notebook to track my success(or struggles) each day. 

Read - I am currently reading 2 books - We are Not Yet Equal by Carol Anderson and The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert.  I try to read for at least 1 hour a day, usually breaking it into smaller portions. I am also jotting down quotes and making 2 Page Spreads of the books I am reading. This helps me learn but also gets me doing some fun artwork while I am at it. 

Write - I am keeping a journal of these interesting times - I call it my CoronaVirus Isolation Journal. There is no doubt that your children or grandchildren are going to study this interesting time; if you have found enjoyment in writing in your journal this year in class, write during this time as well. What you write, both the words and your document will be a help to you as you share with future people “what it was like in isolation” during 2020. They will want to read the words about what you were thinking, feeling - how life had changed for you rather abruptly. I just try to write the things that I am doing each day, my feelings, what I see and observe, what I read in the news - even though I have made a big effort to only take in news at certain times a day so that I don’t get overwhelmed by too much bad news. But while I was looking at the news today, I found this article very interesting. 

Why outbreaks like coronavirus spread exponentially, and how to “flatten the curve” 

Exercise - Mostly just the walks mentioned above - but walking is both healthy and therapeutic, and it can be done while remaining a good distance from others. 

Drink at least 64oz of water - I drink a lot of water at school during the day and I have noticed that if I forget to have my water bottle with me at home, I will forget to drink water. So, I have made it a point to record in my journal how much water I am drinking each day. 

Make and Drink a Wellness Shot - Ginger, Turmeric, Lemon Juice - I learned to make this on TikTok. I had never heard of it, and I am sure that I would never have discovered it if it weren’t for concern for my immune system during this time, but it is kind of fun to make, tastes a little rough, but it does make me feel good. I am not sure if there are any real health benefits, but who knows. I’ll send you a recipe if you want it. 

Cook - I made some homemade Popeye's Spicy Chicken Sandwiches yesterday.

 Tonight I am grilling a whole Rock Fish - I am excited about it! What you think?

Well, that is what I am up to, and I mostly just wanted to check in with you.  Please know that I would love to hear from you in some capacity.

I have an Instagram account for school use and you can DM me @irockenglish, maybe I'll host some daily lives.

Also, you can try Skype or Google hangouts at paul.koch@lcps.org

Of course, you can always email me or post in classroom, I will get back to you as soon as possible.

XO,

PK