Dear editor:

As a lifelong Wyoming citizen, I started my career as a first grade teacher at Parkside in 1985. Thirty nine years of experience teaching in K-12 (18) and community colleges, (17 at Casper, three in Powell), my understandings have deepened my commitment to public education.

At Northwest College, our Secondary, Elementary and Early Childhood Education students progress through their typical two years, 60 credits, discovering how we learn, the learning environment they need to create for ALL learners, and then what their intentional interactions will be to grow each student that year.

How do we learn? We learn through interactions with others, materials and our environment. We move from the known to the unknown, always connecting new learning with experiences and previous knowledge. More connections and repetitions build a strong, efficient network. Our brains organize this knowledge in schemas (thought bubbles). We observe others (modeling) we try, reflect, adjust, try again (trial/error) we talk/listen (language processing), often adding to our thought bubbles, our understandings. We can hold an idea or concept in our head and look at the multiple facets, like a diamond, of this concept. There we evaluate it. We are critical thinkers.

I urge all citizens to look at the Property Tax Bill “diamond.” Look at the facets — NWC, City of Powell, Park County, hospital, and the school district. It is SF0069.

How do I create an environment where all can learn? We create an environment of connection, inclusion and engagement. As students we learn with and from one another. The energy in community is powerful. This draws us to stay, teach and build lives in the Wyoming communities we represent. This is our strength. Park County people, this is your strength. You do this well. The care, help, checking in, dropping by, chatting at the grocery store, and fellowshipping after church builds connections. You don’t think twice about this — you are in “us” mode. This town is where many of you serve others — in your employment or in service of those of us who need it. Without “us” we aren’t community.

I urge all citizens to look at the property tax bill, the diamond, as our community. Notice how each facet makes us “us.”

Can we be a strong, whole community without our city, county, hospital, school and college services?

What are my intentional interactions within this environment? Our intentional interactions as educators are to meet the needs of the whole student (social, emotional, cognitive, physical and language). We meet the needs of the student who comes for safety, consistency and care. We meet the needs of students who are passionate for learning, and those who are there “just to do enough to pass.” We meet the needs of the diamonds in the rough. We care enough not to leave them where they started. Professional capital, our head and heart knowledge, is put into action.

I urge all citizens to continue to invest in your community- who you serve and who serves you. Don’t leave us gutted. Use your head and heart knowledge and put it into action. Call your senator and email all your representatives. Join with others and send a letter. Talk to the board members of these service providers.

This is a complex issue. We need to see the whole diamond, not just one facet. Park County mill levies are funded two-thirds residential property tax and one-third industry tax. Property taxes greatly impact two of our three funding streams at Northwest College. The cut to property taxes will substantially impact our city, county, hospital, schools and NWC. Our community will not be whole.

Cammy Rowley

Powell