Down on Deasy Re "On a mission to change school district's culture," April 8 In the 1980s I was a teacher in the L.A. Unified School District's Incentive Substitute Teacher Program, which was meant to ensure good instruction and classroom oversight in hard-to-staff schools. I can assure readers that "subbing" is one of the least-empowered positions in the district. That L.A. Unified Supt. John Deasy would walk into a classroom unannounced and criticize "well-regarded" substitute teacher Patrena Shankling as she "carried out the assignment left by the regular teacher," and then the next day send her a letter of termination, is nothing more than bullying. Is this what Deasy calls "professional courage"? Congratulations to Shankling for having the fortitude to dismiss Deasy from the classroom. Perhaps the school board can find the courage to dismiss the abusive Deasy from the district. Ben Miles Huntington Beach Yes, Deasy is definitely pushing to change L.A. Unified by removing the chance of education for more than 300,000 students. I'd like to hear him explain exactly why the district plans to eliminate the adult education program, which grants high school diplomas, gives career education and teaches English to so many of the parents of the children he is trying to help. Deasy is certainly pushing to change the system, but not for the better. Bessie Platt Santa Monica Deasy's statement that the district has "a culture of fear to do anything independent in leadership" shows he is confident enough to stand up to his overreaching critics, such as the teachers union. Conversely, his vulnerability to arrogance was shown when he appeared proud to shame a substitute teacher in front of her class and then fire her, saying her lesson disrespected students. Such behavior is disrespectful to students. Balancing self-confidence and humility in cultivating good judgment is a rare talent. For the sake of the students, I hope he'll be mindful of this balance. Roger Schwarz Healthcare and the Constitution Re "A mandate that overreaches," Opinion, April 8