I have been a teacher educator for 30 years. During that time, nearly a third of my students came through the Troops to Teachers program, a federal effort supporting veterans transitioning to civilian life. I often saw them arrive angry or disoriented, searching for direction and meaning — and I saw them graduate as caring, committed educators.

These people brought something distinctive into the classroom. When we talked about what they carried from the military into teaching, many spoke about the military ethos: “I have your back.”

As teachers, they translated that into a commitment to their students — to see them, support them and stand with them. That stance shaped how they taught and how they understood their role.

Platner could have been one of my students. I’m not concerned about posts he made while leaving the military; I’ve seen that transition firsthand, and it is a hard and painful journey. What matters is what comes next — and I believe Platner will have Mainers’ backs.

What concerns me more is my generation’s reluctance to pass the torch. I am Janet Mills’ age, and I believe Platner represents something the Democratic Party urgently needs: a new generation willing to step forward, find meaning in public service and fight for the people who have been left behind. He may have rough edges — as did most of the best teachers I ever trained — but he will most certainly have our backs.

Etta Kralovec
Orland