Before going into surgery, music teacher receives special surprise from colleagues, friends

LA CROSSE, Wis. (WKBT) – Area teachers are proving it doesn’t take a textbook to teach acts of kindness.

Paul Cota, a music teacher and choir director for the North Crawford School District had a sudden cardiac arrest last week and is getting ready to go into surgery on Tuesday.

Which is why on Monday fellow teachers, former students, and friends could be seen standing outside La Crosse Gundersen Health System with signs, pom-poms, and big smiles under their masks, sending Paul all the love in the world.

His friends worked with Gundersen staff to organize the surprise pep rally for him.

It was a special moment that meant so much to him.

“I just want to thank them all. I know some people couldn’t make it because of work. But it was sure nice of them to drive all the way to La Crosse to do this,” Paul said.

Paul’s friends say he has a heart of gold, and that he would do this, and more, for them.