Let Walther teach

Regarding your recent article about Ferris teacher Jennifer Walther, a 20-year veteran teacher and member of Northwest Professional Educators: She is considered by her association to be a consummate professional, dedicated to her students and upholding the highest professional standards.

As an NWPE member, Walther subscribes to our professional code of ethics which, among other provisions, challenges educators to “present facts without distortion, bias, or personal prejudice.” We are confident that as a highly praised educator, Walther keeps this in mind every time she steps into the classroom.

The fact is Walther has been unfairly targeted by the Washington Education Association as a one-time petitioner of a lawsuit that unearthed the union’s partisan political contributions. As an educator whose ideals conflict with those of the WEA, her good name has become a target for union leaders who have been burned by teachers like her who don’t tow the union line via forced dues.

In recognizing this background, and the years of praise for this dedicated educator, it is our hope that union leaders leave Walther to do what she does best: educate students in a professional manner. They have a lot to learn from teachers like her.

Cindy Omlin

Executive Director, Northwest Professional Educators

Mead