As a broadcaster for more than 15 years, I covered a lot of education stories. Inevitably, that meant calling Liv Finne.

Mention Liv's name in the policy world, and you're almost sure to get recognition either celebrating her courage for challenging the status quo and calling out the inappropriate demands of the politically powerful Washington Education Association, or you'd get the role of eyes and look of frustration because some feel that challenging the status quo is an insult to teachers or kids or both. I always thought that was an absurd stretch -- everybody needs to avail themselves of constructive criticism. But over the years I learned when people are doing things that are unreasonable, that's when they like constructive criticism the least.

One of the most common fears people have is public speaking. Ask someone if they'd rather meet a man or a bear in the woods, they might say "both, so long as I don't have to speak in public."  Now I don't know if Liv has that fear and conquered it, or if she simply doesn't have it, but year in and year out, Liv has thrust herself on the front lines of education stories and spoken up when she sees something wrong even when all else is silent or the the elites in our system denigrate her work. 

The reason for this is obvious. Liv is passionate about education, not because it's a field of policy, but because it matters for kids and parents. It matters whether a child is forced by zipcode to go to an unsafe school or has the option of choosing a school that fits. It matters for freedom and the Republic.  It matters for the opportunities kids will enjoy throughout their lives and whether they have a fair shot at achieving their potential. In other words, for Liv it's about the people and the legacy of opportunity we should all enjoy. 

As you will read below in this letter from WPC's Vice President for Research, Todd Myers, Liv is announcing her retirement in order to spend more time with her grandchildren who recently moved into town. You can read some details below and also find out how you can send a message of congratulations and/or gratitude straight to her. You can also read of what work she is proudest of while being Education Director at WPC. 

While Liv will continue in some capacity with WPC for some time ahead, her legacy will live on longer yet. With the advance of charter schools and the nation's revolution of educational choice sending waves to our state line, there is much to be grateful for and much to look forward to. 

I hope you will take the time to use the information below to send Liv a brief letter of encouragement and gratitude.

Best,

David Boze

From Todd Myers, Vice President for Research, Washington Policy Center:

After more than 16 years working for Washington Policy Center and fighting for policy that puts students first, Education Director Liv Finne is retiring to spend more time with her children and grandchildren who recently have moved back to Seattle. 

Graciously, when Liv told us about her plans, she offered to continue in an advisory role until we enlist a new Education Director. Of course, we gratefully accepted her offer, so you will continue to see Liv’s presence this summer and into the fall.

Since arriving at WPC, Liv has been a champion in affecting tremendous progress in education policy in Washington state. She was instrumental in pushing forward our state's charter school reforms. She remains a leading resource in informing parents of what is happening in their schools and giving us all the information we needed to make our voices heard. We are proud of Liv's accomplishments and indebted for her fierce passion. She has been and will remain a true friend for all of us. 

I asked Liv to list her favorite successes and she had many, but here is some of what she mentioned.

“I am immensely proud of WPC's achievements in education, and grateful to WPC's donors and leaders for making these wins possible, including: 1) expanding learning opportunities for nearly 5,000 K-12 students by helping bring public charter schools to Washington state and defending these successful schools; 2) informing the public about the benefits of private school choice in 32 other states; 3) informing the public about the dramatic public school revenue increases since McCleary; 4) halting the WEA's recent efforts to reduce instruction time in the schools by one day a week; and 5) informing the public about the harmful and false ideologies now being taught in the public schools.”

While we understand and support Liv for prioritizing her grandchildren at this stage, we also are sad to see her go. We know that the gratitude we feel for Liv is shared by the many people her work touched across the state. We encourage you to send her your thoughts and congratulations at lfinne@washingtonpolicy.org. I know she will appreciate them.

Likewise, we look forward to honoring Liv and her legacy at a WPC event later this year.

Education policy will continue to be a cornerstone of WPC's work and we are beginning a search for a new education director. As Liv will gladly tell you, a wave of innovation in education is sweeping the country and we want to see Washington State be a part of that as well.