Hello EDUC 638 classmates and Dr.

Holder,
I am Paul S. Roche and I reside in Scranton, PA where I was born and raised. I spent a period of
8 years in York, PA where my late wife, Cheryl, and I began our family. I also attended York
College of PA from 1986 to 1988 and studied Respiratory Therapy. We relocated back to the
Scranton area in 1994 when my youngest son, Nathan, was born. His two siblings are Kristen
and Paul Stephen. Raising a family together with Cheryl was my greatest joy after knowing Jesus
Christ as my savior. I began my education with Liberty University working on my B.S. in
Interdisciplinary Studies (INDS) with cognates in Health and Social Sciences (mostly Psych.) in
2011 as a part-time online student. I am pursuing my Masters degree in Educational Technology
& Online Instruction. I am currently in my last course with you before going on for my
Education Specialist degree in Curriculum & Instruction and eventually my Doctorate of
Education degree. It is a long road but it isnt so much having the degree although it will open
more opportunities but I am absolutely enjoying learning at Liberty University. I am currently
not employed and making my time productive with courses and seeking to work as an Online
Instructional Technologist/Instructor. I have well (as Dr. Holder put it) a lot of years in the Allied
Health field. Although my concentration has been in Respiratory Therapy, I always include
Allied Health because of my inquisitive nature. I have always inquired of other disciplines
including medicine for their insights in patient care. I believe it has helped me to be a good
educator.
I must include my reason for currently being unemployed. I have seen so much change
in the medical field that about 14 years ago I knew I couldnt continue on in the clinical
environment in the same capacity. I had experienced many personal medical concerns
surrounding my wifes and moms cancers and eventual passing away. I had enjoyed working in

a very busy hospital not far outside of New York City but seeing how much patient attentiveness
had changed leading to seeing some fatal and near fatal situations that could have been avoided, I
knew that I was becoming burnt out. The signs were there according to my medical doctors and
they supported my medical leave of absences as I kept going in for the fight for the patient. My
last employer had to let me go because I had reacted harshly during an emergency over the
neglect involved in the situation. My passion to make a change is focused in educating students
with balance between technology and critical thinking without too much cognitive overload.
Many of the students I had taught as their clinical instructor throughout the years told me they
like how I teach and encouraged me to teach full time. Some of my colleagues told me I care too
much about students and patients. I dont even know if that is possible. I know the Lord was
always in perfect balance and Ive always looked to Him to help me to do the same in my life,
especially at this time. Ive never been this open before on my blog, maybe it is due to the fact
that this is my last course of very hard work toward attaining my M.Ed. I cant settle for
knowledge not mattering when it comes to human life.
Right now my balance is made by first knowing I have a savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Some of my hobbies are; learning (that will probably never change), I enjoy hiking, car shows,
the shore, and travelling. My 3-year old grandson Dominic gives me much joy as well as my
children, family and closest friends. If I can make the kind of impact that research supports for
the Allied Health Education component of life through education of todays students that
improves patient care and the care for the caregivers, I believe it will be a worthy cause. I think
one of the most profound scriptures that keeps me going is one the book Hinds Feet on High
Places, (Hurnard, 1979). It is based on the scripture from Habakkuk 3:19 (NASB) The Lord God
is my strength, and He has made my feet like hinds feet, and makes me walk on my high places.

If my life were a movie (I think I need a series), The star I would play in the leading role would
Matt Damon because I love the action in the roles he plays and how in many of his roles he is a
thinker.
Reference:
Hurnard, H., (1979) Hinds' feet on high places, Wheaton, Tyndale House