Piedmont Profile: Rachel Koch

Antonia Florence, assistant editor

Rachel Koch earned her associate degree in Computer Science from PVCC almost a year ago. But she is not pursuing a profession in computers. In fact, during her four years as a full-time student, Koch learned a lot about herself.

It took her four years to earn her associate degree because she had a difficult time grasping advanced mathematical concepts. Now, she is back at PVCC but this time in a different capacity.

During her mathematical struggle, which coincided with what she termed her first real computer programming class, she “accepted a job as an embedded math tutor in a pre-Calculus class in addition to three developmental math classes,” wrote Koch in an electronic interview.

This meant that beginning with the fall 2014 semester, Koch attended those classes in addition to her scheduled academic program classes. At that point, she had no desire to take any more math than her degree required.

“About halfway through the semester, I discovered that I really didn’t enjoy programming,” wrote Koch, “at the same time I came to the realization that I loved math. In part because I had an amazing Calculus teacher, Wendi Dass, and in part because I realized that I liked teaching people math.”

“I was partnered with two incredible math professors for my tutoring, Zack Beamer and Jon Hexter, who made me see math in a whole new light.

Plus, I know math is a source of stress for a lot of people. I like being a positive influence for what can be a stressful subject,” wrote Koch.

Koch knew she had to make a decision. She could continue on her path to a computer science degree and then move on or explore the field of mathematics even though PVCC does not offer a math degree, or do both.

She decided to complete her computer science degree and fulfill the requirements that PVCC offered toward a math degree at a four year college.

Her transfer to James Madison University was seamless, but Koch said she wished she had begun the transfer process earlier to cut down on stress.

In addition to being a full-time math major at JMU, she tutors in PVCC’s First Quadrant Math Center three partial days each week.

Koch has two children, 15-year-old Adrianna and 12-year-old Bennett. Koch is proud of how her children support her educational effort. “My kids have been dealing with me being in school since my daughter was in fifth grade. They’re super supportive. My daughter makes dinner on nights when I get home late or have to stay up all night studying. It’s hard for them sometimes, they miss my free time, but they are proud of me and encourage me all the time. Just yesterday my son took my phone away so I would have to study,” wrote Koch.                                                 

Her plan is to finish her bachelor’s degree at JMU in 2018 and continue to Virginia Commonwealth University for graduate school.

Koch’s ultimate goal is to teach math at the community college level. Koch wrote, “Maybe at PVCC if I am lucky and they will have me.”

Koch has continued to appreciate her math instructors even though she is now a JMU student.

She wrote, “I respect the math department there so much. I’ve been very lucky to have many amazing teachers and mentors in the PVCC math department. I’m proud to be a PVCC graduate and I hope one day to give back for all they have given me.”