Since this petition was launched, The Seattle Times has published SEA President Ibijoke Idowu-Holiday’s first public response to the Seattle Public Schools Human Resources investigation.

The district's investigation concluded that it was more likely than not that Idowu grabbed a student hard enough to cause bruising, threw a marker at one student, threw a book that struck another student, and that witnesses described students flinching in fear and being told, "I don't care about your crying."

In response, Idowu argues that she intends to challenge any disciplinary action. Seattle teacher, union president, responds to report she ‘likely’ harmed student

Meanwhile, the story has moved beyond our union. It is now being covered by multiple news organizations and discussed publicly throughout our community. The comments and reactions from readers make one thing unmistakably clear: the reputation of the Seattle Education Association is suffering.

This petition is not about replacing the district's due process or deciding the outcome of any legal proceedings. It is about whether the membership of the Seattle Education Association continues to have confidence in its elected President (WE DON’T!).

Every day this controversy continues, it becomes harder for our union to focus on the work that matters most—advocating for educators and students. Regardless of where anyone stands on the underlying allegations, our members deserve the opportunity to decide who leads our union.

If you believe that decision belongs to the membership—not to circumstance or silence—PLEASE  ACT NOW and continue to sign and share this petition with eligible SEA members.

We believe Idowu-Holiday’s next move is to convince SEA members to strike so as to cause confusion and deter members from her child abuse allegations. 

Works cited: Bryan, Claire. "Seattle Teacher, Union President, Responds to Report She 'Likely' Harmed Student." The Seattle Times, 24 July 2026,