Choice and the free exchange of ideas are what education is all about. As a lifelong learner and educator, it seems natural to me that teachers would also embrace these ideals.

It's extremely frustrating, therefore, after many years as an educator and following education politics in Washington and Idaho, to have to continually cope with teacher union efforts to suppress independent minded teachers. Instead of fostering healthy, intelligent conversations about advancing student achievement and the future of our profession, too often, it's "get in line or get out of the way."

One example of this heavy handedness was the Coeur d'Alene Education Association's (CEA) recent action to successfully pressure the Coeur d'Alene School Board to withdraw its support for a resolution calling for teacher choice and equal access for professional associations, union and nonunion.

I am convinced that the union's approach leads to counter-productive entrenchment, instead of cooperation toward what should be the goal: helping our students reach their full potential. A variety of associations can only build a dynamic educational environment that benefits both teachers and students. Yet, despite declining membership levels, the union claims to speak for all teachers, while shutting out those with whom it may differ.

Open-minded, forward-thinking teachers are seeking a new direction that values choice and freedom of the individual. They can find that in Northwest Professional Educators (NWPE), a non-union professional association that focuses on elevating the profession of teaching and improving public education for every student. A state chapter of the Association of American Educators, NWPE serves educators in Idaho, Oregon and Washington.

I think it is critical that more teachers learn about the nonunion teacher movement. Too many teachers only join the unions because of the desire for liability insurance in case unfortunate incidents arise in their classrooms. While NWPE provides educators the peace of mind they need with our $2,000,000 personal educator liability insurance, as well as caring, professional support and legal fees for a host of situations they might encounter as educators, they also receive NWPE's numerous resources designed to advance them as professionals, such as updates on education issues, cutting edge classroom resources, professional development opportunities, grants and scholarships, and a voice on education issues through our member surveys - resources which focus on helping members improve their craft as educators.

NWPE dues are extremely affordable - only $16.50 a month - because NWPE does not engage in partisan politics, contribute dues to political organizations or advocate for non-education issues. If you agree with IEA-NEA politics and can afford it, it's a great fit for teachers, but many have different points of view or, frankly, even if they share the union's political views, would rather keep the money they earned in their paychecks.

We often hear about the necessary reforms needed in Idaho classrooms, but what we do not hear is that we need to rethink the way our teacher workforce is represented and organized. Industrial-style union representation is an outdated, one-size-fits-all system that no longer serves the needs of modern educators nor advances the respect that they deserve.

Teachers are not blue-collar laborers; they are academic professionals like lawyers, scientists and engineers. They deserve to be treated as individual professionals with ideas and experiences that can be brought to the policy table. And, while teachers support the idea of collective bargaining, they are finding that the cost of affiliating their local teacher association with the IEA and NEA's political machines to be much less of a bargain. For this reason, many are exploring the "local only" bargaining model for teacher representation. NWPE supports teacher efforts to explore and implement alternative methods of representation. Like all of us, teachers appreciate options.

In order to promote positive change in our system, we must listen to all educators working the front lines of the classroom. The teacher union provides one voice, but many voices make for a more dynamic and productive conversation.

NWPE and the nonunion teacher movement offer a fresh approach to representation and advocacy along with the promise of a new era of professionalism where teachers are given a proper seat at the table. We invite educators to joins hands with their colleagues who are heartily embracing the nonunion teacher movement here in Idaho and across the nation.

Cindy Omlin is executive director of Northwest Professional Educators.