Teacher should have taken assignment

To the editor:

I am a recent graduate of Palmer High School and I now attend the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho. I have a subscription to the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman and receive copies in the mail.

In response to the article on the Swanson teacher’s retirement, Darlene Zehm, I have a few words. I feel absolutely no sympathy toward this teacher and her decision to retire. She was lucky to have been able to teach the same grade level for 30 years. It is now time to move on.

She did not receive a specific teaching degree in “second grade-level education,” but likely a broader degree in “elementary education.” That being the case, she was needed most in the area of first grade, so there she was placed. When you have public teachers who are unwilling to be flexible within their degree area, their seniority holds no weight and they should be cut.

The point of public teaching is for the need of the public, not to satisfy personal preferences. I have known many teachers throughout the district who have been forced to switch schools, regardless of how excellent their teaching at a particular school. Zehm was asked to move classrooms. The principal of Swanson made the most logical decision in not deciding the teaching position at all. The decision was left up to chance to avoid any accusations of favorites, etc. This should be honored, not criticized.

Nancy Means

Moscow, Idaho