One of the things I will never forget about one of my engineering 101 classes all those years ago is that after you develop an answer to a problem, always ask this question: Does the answer make sense?

When I read the articles and opinion letters in The Fountain Hills Times and talk with people more familiar with the facts than I am, I ask that question about the dismissal of grade school teacher Pam Aister for trying to stop a bullying incident at Four Peaks Elementary School.

I conclude that, no, the answer of dismissing Ms. Aister doesn’t make sense for a 24-year veteran teacher who apparently was not previously warned that incidents of this nature could result in her firing.

A better answer would have been to make a warning entry into her performance record that another serious incident could result in her dismissal and have Ms. Aister sign off on that record.

An experienced, popular teacher like Ms. Aister certainly deserves a second chance. Therefore, reinstating Ms. Aister to her teaching position and counseling her as proposed seems to be in order.

Please note that while I have lived in the area for over 14 years, I don’t remember ever meeting, talking or communicating in any way with Ms. Aister.