Part-time Art History Teacher David Kossow has been with us since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. He reminisces about walking his dog around the Hun School, looking into empty classrooms, and wondering how students and teachers were doing. Around that time, he reached out to Former Head of History Department Howard Powers, who knew Mr. Kossow personally, and asked how teaching remotely for PDS had been. Mr. Powers admitted it was rough, but the teachers were managing. As a result, Mr. Kossow offered to help and told him that if the department ever needed an Art History substitute, he was available.
Within a week, Mr. Kossow was offered a substitute position for a class on Ancient Egypt, as the regular teacher was on medical leave. He recalled, “I prepared a couple of lessons on Ancient Egypt and did them remotely, and they worked. Then, I entered classrooms as soon as they were open and was a substitute for a year back in 2021-2022.” He also covered many classes for the Art History teacher during her medical leave. When she later stepped away from the position, Mr. Kossow was offered the opportunity of teaching Art History.
When asked about his favorite aspects of PDS, Mr. Kossow shared, “Seeing a love of art that just gets enhanced in the students in the classroom…Just seeing them learning to appreciate art.” He hopes that his general group of students can now feel a sense of familiarity and appreciation for art in museums. For those who truly loved his class and will go on to major in the arts, he hopes they will be able to make careers out of it and look back at his class as the starting point.
Moreover, Mr. Kossow reflected on the joys of teaching PDS students: “It was a delight to be in touch with high school kids again…PDS kids are so bright…The level of learning you can do and teach at is really at a Freshman or Sophomore level college class.” Similarly, he praises the working environment in the History Department as well, remarking how he will miss his colleagues and working in such a supportive and wonderful community.
Looking ahead, Mr. Kossow plans to spend more time in his studio and resume his artistic pursuits. He hopes to be there for 4-5 hours a day, around 5-6 days a week.
Overall, Mr. Kossow’s absence from the History Department and the Art History classrooms next year will be deeply felt.He will certainly be missed by all the students who were fortunate enough to take his classes, as well as his fellow colleagues in the History Department. He has done tremendous work to support PDS through the pandemic when remote learning was a struggle for both students and teachers. We hope he finds fulfillment in whatever endeavors this next chapter of his life may bring!
