Show commitment to schools and vote 'yes'

I was graduated from Sandpoint High School 20 years ago and was interested to hear Bonner County voters are considering a school levy. My husband and I believe it is a community responsibility to support the schools charged with preparing children for the future.

I have been taught by world experts in their fields, throughout college and medical school. But some of my best teachers were the individuals who taught me at SHS. Chemistry teacher Woody Aunan taught me a love of science and Rick Gehring the math skills that have served me so well. Many other teachers at SHS tirelessly taught us to excel, to have high standards, and to learn at levels that were surprisingly advanced. Those teachers get a lot of credit for starting me on a career that has included faculty appointments in medicine at the University of Pittsburgh, the Cleveland Clinic and at Harvard Medical School as of July of this year.

I hope voters realize how lucky their children are to be educated by exceptional teachers. The world is increasing in complexity; the lives our children will lead are going to be very different from our own. There is more to education than highly motivated teachers. Our kids also need technology to support advanced learning and a curriculum that includes modern concepts in teaching.

I hope the parents and community members of Sandpoint put a value on education that recognizes the importance of our children's future. I am proud of the education I received at Sandpoint High School. I urge the voters in Bonner County to show their commitment to the school system by voting yes for the school levy on February 24th. The only thing that we can invest in that always, always pays dividends, is the education of our children.

JENNIFER L. HUNT,

M.D., M.Ed.

Cleveland, Ohio