Cheney High School Substitute Teacher Suspended Following Second Investigation into Student Interactions
A Washington State substitute teacher has had his credentials suspended for a minimum of six months following a series of disturbing comments directed at high school students, according to a recent disciplinary order issued by the state’s Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.
State documents reveal that Ethan Whitney, whose teaching credentials date back to 2018, engaged in acts of unprofessional conduct while working at Cheney High School.
However, a closer look at the state’s records shows this is not the educator’s first time facing disciplinary action for inappropriate interactions with students, raising familiar questions about how the state monitors and vets teachers in local classrooms.
A Pattern of Inappropriate Behavior
According to the Agreed Order of Suspension finalized in May 2026, the Cheney School District filed a complaint against Whitney in April 2024 regarding his conduct as a short-term substitute teacher at Cheney High School.
The state document reports that on March 8, 2024, Whitney made a series of inappropriate comments to students in his classroom.
After playing a game with a student where the object is to strike the other person’s hand, Whitney reportedly stated that he “just wanted an excuse to hit her.”
The alarming remarks continued. State records note that Whitney made comments to students such as, “Hate me, I’m evil. Fine if you think I’m sexist,” and reportedly told a female student, “So you’re one of those freaks that’s good at math.”
At one point, after stating he had a headache, Whitney was documented making a comment similar to, “I wish a vein would pop and I would die.”
During an interview with OSPI’s Office of Professional Practices, Whitney recalled making the comments but attempted to justify his behavior, stating the remarks were “the result of a lack of sleep and a headache due to a commitment of working multiple jobs.”
A Previous Suspension and a Slow State Response
While the March 2024 incident was severe enough to warrant state action, OSPI documents reveal it was not Whitney’s first offense.
During the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 school years, Whitney was employed as a high school teacher in the Moses Lake School District.
From March to December of 2020, he exchanged “numerous electronic communications” with a high school student.
The state notes these messages were of a “peer-like nature,” occurred outside of school hours, included inappropriate comments, and that Whitney was under the influence of alcohol during some of the exchanges.
The Moses Lake School District Superintendent reported the misconduct to OSPI on January 1, 2021. Yet, once again, the state’s bureaucratic wheels turned slowly.
It took OSPI over two and a half years—until July 3, 2023—to issue an Agreed Order suspending Whitney’s certificate for just 45 days.
To reinstate his certificate following the Moses Lake incident, Whitney was required to undergo a substance abuse evaluation and complete a “Maintaining Boundaries” course.
He met these requirements and his certificate was fully reinstated on August 18, 2023—just months before he was hired as a substitute in Cheney and began making inappropriate comments to a new group of students.
Current Penalty and Reinstatement Conditions
For his most recent infractions at Cheney High School, Whitney’s teaching certificate has been suspended for no less than six months.
To step foot in a Washington classroom again, state officials are requiring Whitney to complete yet another pre-approved “Maintaining Boundaries” course, as well as a “Classroom Management” course.
He must also pass a new fingerprint-based background check through the FBI and Washington State Patrol.
Well, at least they are doing something about it and not burying it.