Local teacher diagnosed with cancer during pandemic continues instruction

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It’s been quite the year for teachers across the country. But imagine dealing with a pandemic during your first year teaching -- and then on top of that, you’re diagnosed with cancer.

Well that’s Albemarle Road Middle School math teacher Wil Loesel’s story.

>> Have questions about the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on the Carolinas? We have an entire section dedicated to coverage of the outbreak -- CLICK HERE FOR MORE.

While helping his kids solve problems, he’s fighting a battle of his own -- Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.

Loesel told Channel 9 he was diagnosed shortly after the pandemic hit.

He said he could have taken a leave of absence but he decided to continue teaching his students.

“If I go on and leave, I am leaving them to figure it out and that is not fair to them and teaching is a responsibility and something I enjoy,” he said.

>>In the video above Channel 9′s Damany Lewis talks with Loesel about his battle with cancer and how the pandemic offered him the chance to stay connected with his students despite his diagnosis.