To the Editor:
Some 25 years ago, I was introduced to Education Week in a doctoral course. I have been an avid reader ever since, as a principal, director, and superintendent of schools. Your coverage is informative, of broad interest, and objective. I have held Education Week in the greatest respect.
That is, until this past month. As I opened my Oct. 11, 2006, issue and saw the front-page photo of a cluster of Amish children waiting to go to school, I was deeply offended and disappointed. Clearly, both Mel Evans, the Associated Press photographer, and Education Week editors should know that the Amish do not permit photographs to be taken of them—it is a violation of their faith to allow “graven images.”
My Amish friend from the area of Pennsylvania where the school shooting occurred lamented to me that while this horrible event was real, it surely did not need to be publicized all over the world. Why did we do this? I had no answer; I could only apologize.
Karen-Lee N. Brofee
Superintendent
Somerset County Public Schools
Westover, Md.
