It is the middle of October, and all we have heard about is the struggle when it comes to school this year. A lot of parents have made the choice to have their children stay out of school and learn virtually at home. This was done as a way to protect them from COVID-19 and to stop the spread. Virtual learning has come with a lot of challenges and frustrations, as everyone tries to navigate this new way of learning. However, virtual learning may have just saved someone’s life.
According to CNN, a teacher from Michigan spoke up when she heard something concerning through the computer, and she acted quickly and saved a life when she heard a student’s grandmother in the background start slurring her words.
Julia Koch is a first-grade teacher, and she was teaching her class like normal on September 22nd when she received a phone call from a student’s grandmother who was having some technical difficulties with their grandchild’s computer. The grandmother was trying to charge the student’s school tablet but couldn’t figure it out. It didn’t take long for Julia to figure out that something was not quite right.
Julia said that it was clear to her that something was very off with the grandmother’s voice. She said that her words were jumbled and she struggled to figure out what the grandma was trying to say. She just didn’t sound like herself, and the teacher made the decision to contact the school principal with her concerns. The principal got on the phone with the grandmother while he got a fellow staff member to call 911.
The principal, Charlie Lovelady, said that her speech was impaired and when he asked if she was alright, she just kept “stumbling” her words, and it was getting worse as every minute went by. His own father has had a stroke before, so he knew the signs and he knew that this lady needed help. While they were waiting for an ambulance to get there, the principal sent two staff members out to check on the grandma.
Grandma was indeed having a stroke, and she does not think she would be here today if Julia hadn’t of noticed something was off and called for help. She said that she is so thankful that she didn’t die in front of the kids. Julia Koch is known for going above and beyond for her students, and has been working hard to make sure that they are all comfortable with the virtual learning. She will forever be remembered by this family.
Source: CNN