Guest opinion: Koch cares about future generations

A teacher makes a commitment to lifelong learning. This happens in and out of the classroom, in conversation with students, parents, and faculty. I have learned that caring about education goes beyond the classroom. A healthy classroom is a healthy community. During my time as a student in Paula Koch’s classes (Senora Koch as she is known in the school community) I came to know a person who genuinely cares about bettering the lives and education of her students and the community around them. 

Beyond students, first year teachers in Montana are consistently paid one of the lowest wages out of all 50 states. In Montana, 40% of teachers leave the profession in their first five years. As an education major, I am concerned about my future career in Montana, but this not only affects teachers’ lives, it destroys students’ education as well. Koch has a plan to protect our public schools. Koch plans to fund public schools by restructuring property tax laws. This will benefit schools, locals, and the best part is, it comes with no increase to property taxes. She will work to improve teacher retention, ensuring that teachers stay in the profession long enough to build experience crucial to provide our future generations with the best education. For the sake of future generations, I vote for Paula Koch for HD4.  

Ruby Davis, Columbia Falls