A Washington State substitute teacher’s professional credentials have been placed on hold for at least six months after a string of concerning remarks to high school students, the state’s Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction confirmed in a formal disciplinary order issued this spring.
Records show Ethan Whitney, certified since 2018, acted unprofessionally during a series of assignments at Cheney High School, prompting the local school district to file a formal complaint in spring 2024.
This latest suspension follows an earlier incident nearly five years ago, underscoring ongoing concerns about how the state evaluates and supervises educators after concerns arise in classrooms.
Repeated Instances of Questionable Conduct
An Agreed Order of Suspension, settled in May 2026, outlines events dating to March 8, 2024, when Whitney, then working as a short-term instructor, made several remarks to students that administrators deemed inappropriate.
During a classroom activity involving light physical contact—where students took turns tapping each other’s hands—Whitney reportedly remarked he “just needed a reason to tap her hand.”
Other statements documented from that day included: “Hate me, I’m evil. Fine if you think I’m sexist,” and a comment directed at a female student noting, “So you’re the kind who’s good at math—what a rarity.”
Later, after mentioning a persistent headache, he added something along the lines of, “I’d welcome it if a blood vessel burst and I just dropped.”
When questioned by OSPI’s Office of Professional Practices, Whitney acknowledged making the comments and attributed them to fatigue stemming from juggling several jobs simultaneously.
Past Disciplinary History
This most recent action is not the first time Whitney has been formally reprimanded. Between 2019 and 2021, he served as a full-time high school teacher in the Moses Lake School District.
From March through December 2020, he maintained an active exchange of digital messages with a high school student. Officials described the correspondence as taking on a “peer-like” tone, occurring outside of regular school hours, and occasionally involving remarks made while he was under the influence of alcohol.
The Moses Lake superintendent notified OSPI of the conduct in early January 2021. However, the state’s response lagged significantly: over two and a half years passed before a suspension was finalized in July 2023.
That previous agreement called for a 45-day suspension, completion of a substance use assessment, and enrollment in a course focused on professional boundaries. Whitney fulfilled those terms, and his certification was restored in mid-August 2023—just before he began substitute teaching in Cheney.
Latest Suspension Terms
Following the 2024 classroom incidents, Whitney now faces a minimum six-month suspension of his teaching credential. Reinstatement will depend on meeting specific conditions outlined in the most recent order, though details of those requirements were not included in the initial filing.
To return to teaching in Washington public schools, educator Whitney must fulfill several new requirements set by state officials. Among these is completion of two additional state-approved training programs: “Maintaining Boundaries” and “Classroom Management.”
In addition to coursework, Whitney will undergo a comprehensive criminal background screening. This includes submission of fingerprints for processing through both the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Washington State Patrol.
Earlier reporting indicated that these steps follow an evaluation of past conduct, though specific details of the preceding incident were not disclosed. The state’s expectations aim to ensure that educators meet updated standards for professionalism, student safety, and instructional effectiveness before resuming classroom duties.