On any given day, students can walk down the hallway to find Mrs. Couling standing outside her door, always in the hallway with a smile greeting everyone good morning or afternoon, willing to talk about any book or really any topic, and ambition to make sure that each and every one of her students succeeds. We will all miss Mrs. Couling.
Mrs. Couling has been teaching for 25 years, with 20 of those years spent at Concord. During this time she has taught many amazing classes which include 9th grade English, Honors English 12, English 12, Honors English 9, Drama, Career Forward, College Prep, College Writing, Research and Tech Writing, Open for Business, English 11, Honors English 11, Intro to Computer Science Principles, AP Language and Composition, Superhero English (11/12), AP Computer Science Principles, and AP Computer Science A.
Mrs.Couling has had countless memories with students and enjoys it when they find their “Ah ha” moments or when they find who they are in Drama. She feels that she has grown really close to the 9th-grade team this year and will miss all the moments she had with them. On top of that, “I will miss my colleagues! I have made so many friendships with my fellow teachers. I will also miss my daily lunches with Mr. Couling and telling him to have a great day.” She adds, “I have loved my time here at Concord High School! I love this community, and though I am ready to retire, I will miss this place and all the memories it holds for me.”
Even though he’s been here only a short time, senior Alex Searles only has her for the seminar and has thoroughly enjoyed her. During that time, Searlles enjoys the positive energy that she brings in every day and her encouragement that has impacted him as well. One memory that came to mind was when he was sick for a week and when he came back, she told him a line he will always remember, “It’s okay to slow down, I’m just glad you didn’t stop.” He wanted to tell Mrs.Couling, “She is, in my opinion, one of the best teachers of all time and I’m extremely grateful to have been able to spend the time with her that I have.”
A blast from the past, 2016 graduate Kimmy Allen had Mrs. Couling for English and drama, which she thoroughly enjoyed with her classes. On top of that, she was friends with Mrs. Coulings’s daughter, Brianne Couling, so Allen got to have the experience of seeing her outside of school. Out of all her favorite memories she says that playing board games at her house because she always made them fun and interesting. It didn’t matter what game because it was always fun no matter what they played. By hanging out with her inside and outside, she has seen Mrs. Couling a ton and has been inspired by her “by honestly just being so accepting of everyone. I have used that throughout the years with so many new people that I meet.” When I asked her what three words describe her best, her first response was “Superhero because I have always wanted to be like her and help inspire others.”
Only having her on the 9th-grade team, Allie Morris could not put into words how much she enjoys and appreciates Mrs.Couling. She enjoys her fun, caring, and respectful nature. Out of all her memories, Morris had a hard time picking one memory, but she concluded: “Probably the time we watched the Moana movie, and we compared it to Odysseus. It was really fun.” Morris will miss her tremendously and will always remember what she told her: “Even if you don’t think anyone cares, someone cares.”
Courtesy of multimedia class
Working with her for 17 years, Mr. Reiniche has had many fun memories with her whether in working together in school, going on European trips, or participating in her drama plays. One of the most memorable moments was while in Greece: “She saved my life. Our hotel caught on fire and she came and knocked on my door to make sure I was aware of the fire, which I was not.” Since he has played in some of her plays, he shares insight into what it was like: “It was really fun. She was very helpful because I had never acted before and I didn’t know what to do. But she showed me what to do and was very supportive.”
Mr. Couling is the art teacher at Concord and is the husband of Mrs. Couling. He also enjoys their lunches together, and when she is gone, he says it’s different because he has eaten lunch with her for 20 years and he will miss “talking about how we could help students and bouncing around ideas.” During those 20 years, he was inspired by the “way she teaches helped me become a better person and her calm and creative personality.” Immediately when I asked him about his favorite memory with her was “her plays. She wrote and directed and for me, it was really cool to see her in action.”
Although Concord will miss Mrs.Couling greatly, we wish her all the best in her retirement. May it be filled with relaxation, happiness, and new adventures. Thank you for everything, Mrs.Couling. Your impact on our lives will never be forgotten.
