To the Editor:

Linda Blom Johnson, candidate for New York Supreme Court Justice, came to the class that I teach at Columbia Greene Educational Center in Greenport, Hudson. Linda sat down with my class and listened to the stories of their civic engagements.

She was supportive and encouraging to their interests and proceeded to give a civics lesson on the workings of the New York State Supreme Court that could serve as a “how to” video in Teacher 101. In minutes, she had the whole class involved in interactive role play. Students magically became invested as “lawyers,” “judges,” “litigants,” “jurors,” and “witnesses” in a contract dispute lawsuit.

Linda’s comfortable communication skills made it easy for me to envision her in her upcoming real-life role as a supreme court justice. It was heartening to watch her encourage the girls in my class to stand up and participate as equals to the boys. Linda created a positive buzz in the classroom while she leveled the playing field. Linda’s natural compassion and understanding is what I hope to see in all supreme court justices.

Linda Blom Johnson employed her depth of practice in the supreme court to convert my classroom to a courtroom. She has been a supreme court trial attorney for nearly 20 years representing the meek, the disabled, the voiceless and everyday people in need of help.

With more than 750 supreme court live appearances, over 100 supreme court trials, and more than 50 appeals that she researched, wrote, and argued, I am casting my vote for her and I encourage all like-minded educators to do the same on Nov. 5.

Jeff LaMountain

Colonie

Editor’s note: Linda Blom Johnson is running for Supreme Court Justice in the 3rd Judicial District on the Republican and Conservative lines. The supreme court is the bottom tier in New York State’s three-tiered court system.