Long education career wraps up

The 2008-09 school year began like any other for Kent Paulson.

The Whitefish High School principal was excited about a new year, with familiar faces and new students in the halls. That it was his 36th first day of school as an educator made no difference. It was still exciting, and he intended to approach the year as he had each fall since reaching the three-decade milestone in his career.

"When I crossed about the 30-year mark … I just adopted the principle, I'm going to take it a year at a time," Paulson said.

When spring break rolled around, he decided there wouldn't be a 37th first day of school.

Paulson, 58, officially retires Tuesday when his contract with the Whitefish School District expires. His last day of school was June 10.

"This is my last morning of school with kids in the building. I'm melancholy, certainly, about that," he said then. "I've loved students from day one. I went into the right profession for me."

Paulson said he always knew he wanted to teach. He was inspired in part by his grandmother, who was a teacher. While in high school in Plentywood and in college at Western Montana College - now the University of Montana-Western - in Dillon, his desire to teach solidified.

"I saw myself in a teaching and coaching field. I'm a helper by nature," he said.

He student-taught in Great Falls, where his soon-to-be wife, Joan, was finishing nursing school. They expected to leave at the end of the year, but both of them got jobs there. They stayed for the next two decades.

Paulson taught for three years at North Middle School. He spent 17 years after that at C.M. Russell High School, where he taught science, physical education and health. He also coached football, boys basketball, track and Legion baseball.

After 20 years in Great Falls, Paulson was hired as a guidance counselor in Troy. He had a master's degree in counseling from Western Montana College, but had never before used it - at least, not officially.

"My philosophy is every teacher has to be a guidance counselor," he said. "You're giving guidance all the time."

In addition to counseling students in grades seven through 12, Paulson was the head boys basketball coach at Troy High School. His oldest son, Kale, graduated there.

After two years in Troy, an assistant principal position opened at Whitefish High School. Paulson, Joan, and their two youngest children, Krista and Kurt, moved to the Flathead in 1995.

For nine years, Paulson was the assistant principal under Dorothy Schmautz. In 2004, he took over as the high school principal.

"I really felt like I was supported from day one by our teachers," Paulson said of becoming principal. "I hope I lived up to their expectations."

After so many years in education, Paulson said he can't go many places in the Pacific Northwest without running into former students. Two former students became his colleagues at Whitefish High: Kelliann Blackburn teaches English and drama and Dacia Prather is a reading specialist.

Paulson remembers Blackburn from gym class at C.M. Russell. Prather was in his freshman science class.

"They were great students sitting in the desk, and they're even better sitting behind the desk," Paulson said. "Students like that you really do remember. That's been really, really neat for me."

Paulson said he will miss his coworkers and his students as a retiree, but he still will be involved in schools. Earlier this month he was named the first full-time commissioner of the Frontier Conference, which includes Carroll College, the University of Great Falls, Montana State-Northern, Montana Tech and Rocky Mountain College.

Both of Paulson's sons played basketball in the Frontier Conference. Kale played for Montana Tech and Kurt for Carroll College. Kurt Paulson has been an assistant basketball coach at Carroll College for the last two years but will become part of the University of Montana basketball program this fall, according to his dad.

"The Frontier Conference will lose one Paulson but gain another," he said.

Paulson also may continue to work as an agricultural insurance claims adjuster, which he has done during the summer for the last 30 years. He and Joan likely will travel to visit their children and grandchildren. He'll play a little golf and get started on his wife's honey-do list.

"I truly think I'll be one of those retirees that will be able to say, 'I think I'm busier now than when I was working,'" he said.

He's still a helper at heart, so Paulson also plans to volunteer in the community as often as he can.

"I still have a lot in the gas tank. I still have an approach to life that I think is very youthful," he said. "With that energy, I certainly want to do something."

Reporter Kristi Albertson may be reached at 758-4438 or by e-mail at kalbertson@dailyinterlake.com