LETTER: Teacher will vote for Arntzen

I am a public school teacher and a member of the MEA-NEA. I will be voting for Elsie Arntzen for state superintendent of public instruction.

The school year will be half way over when the new superintendent takes over in January. With Elsie’s strong background in education, legislation and business, she already has the skills needed to be successful in this position and won’t be spending valuable hours learning about what needs to be done. She will be ready to work from day one.

She believes that all students and teachers are individuals and that “one size fits all” instruction does not benefit everyone. We must add some flexibility in order for everyone to be successful.

Education comprises $1.8 billion of our state budget. Elsie has served 12 years in the state Legislature, and she knows about formulating and managing large budgets. With 23 years of classroom experience as well as a degree in business economics, she understands the tremendous task that the state superintendent has before them.

I won’t be TOLD who to vote for just because I belong to a certain group. I will be voting for the person who aligns with my personal beliefs and values and who I feel is the right person to lead education forward in our state. Qualifications DO matter, and I will be ringing the school bell and casting my vote for Elsie Arntzen. —Janey Salomon, Ronan