t 1 _ i . '- j 1 BEFORE THE TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSLioN I 6' Y‘ i K I g 2 or THE STATE OF OREGON é JUN, 3 2015 i 3 In the Matter of the ) STIPULATION OF FACTS AND P ,4, 1:1 .'.I-,J,I_ . _ ii, g 4 Educator License of ) FINAL ORDER OF SUSPENSIONWM i‘ 2:‘ " "MW" 5 ROSHAN ARMSTRACHAN ) AND PROBATION 6 On or about June 18, 2012, the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (Commission) . 7 learned that Roshan Armstrachan (Armstrachan) allegedly violated Professional Standards and 8 Practices. 9 After review of the matters alleged, Armstrachan and the Commission agree that their 1O respective interests, together with the public interest, are best served by a stipulation to certain facts, 1 1 the imposition of a six (6) month suspension 0f her right to apply for an educator license, and a four 12 (4) year period of probation. 1 3 This document sets forth the facts upon which the parties have agreed and the stipulated 14 sanction to be imposed. Armstrachan stipulates that there is sufficient evidence in the Commission’s 1 5 files and records to support the findings of fact, conclusions 0f law, and order set forth below. 16 By signing below, Armstrachan acknowledges, understands, stipulates, and agrees to the 1 7 following: (i) she has been fully advised of her rights to notice and a hearing to contest the findings of 1 8 fact, conclusions of law, and order set forth below, and fully and finally waives all such rights and any 19 rights to appeal or otherwise challenge this Stipulation of Facts and Final Order of Suspension and 20 Probation (Stipulation and Final Order); (ii) this Stipulation and Final Order is a public document and 21 disclosed to the public upon request by the Commission; (iii) this Stipulation and Final Order is 22 contingent upon and subject to approval and adoption by the Commission. If the Commission does 23 not approve and adopt this Stipulation and Final Order, then neither Armstrachan nor the 24 Commission are bound by the terms herein; (iv) She has fully read this Stipulation and Final Order, 25 and understands it completely; (v) she voluntarily, without any force or duress, enters into this 26 Stipulation and Final Order and consents to issuance and entry of the Stipulated Final Order below; 27 (vi) she States that no promises or representation has been made to induce her to Sign this Stipulation 28 and Final Order; and (vii) she has consulted with an attorney regarding this Stipulation and Final Page 1 STIPULATION OF FACTS, SUSPENSION OF RIGHT TO APPLY — ROSHAN ARMSTRACHAN I 1 Order and has been fully advised with regard t0 her rights thereto, or waives any and all rights to I 2 consult with an attorney prior to entering into this Stipulation and Final Order and issuance and entry I 3 of the Stipulated Final Order below. ‘ 4 STIPULATION OF FACTS 5 1) Armstrachan has been licensed as an Educator in Oregon since August 31, 2004. Armstrachan 6 held an Initial I Teaching License, valid June 7, 2011, through November 11, 2014, with an 7 endorsement in Special Education (ML/ HS). On August 27, 2014, Armstrachan made timely 8 application for renewal of her license. Armstrachan’s license expiration was extended pending the ‘ 9 final outcome of her investigation. During all relevant times, Armstrachan was employed by the 1O Portland Public School District. 1 1 2) On June 18, 2012, the Commission received a report from Portland Public Schools indicating that 1 2 Armstrachan may have violated professional standards, specifically, being overly aggressive 1 3 toward students. Subsequent investigation determined the following events occurred: 14 a) On May 23, 2011, Armstrachan requested to have the school psychologist come to her 1 5 classroom to remove three students who had thrown their milk across the room, which hit the 16 chalkboard, splattering on Armstrachan’s clothing. The involved students were placed in the 1 7 de-escalation room. After obtaining supervision for her classroom, Armstrachan went into the 1 8 de-escalation room t0 reprimand said students. When Armstrachan left the room, she 1 9 slammed the door, saying out loud, “I fucking hate this place”. Armstrachan then decided to 20 get a substitute teacher and go home for the day, which was approved by a supervisor. 21 Armstrachan told staff that she “could not work with these kids any longer”. Armstrachan was 22 issued a letter of expectation, directing her to be respectful at all times to students and Staff 23 and to refrain from yelling or using abusive or profane language. 24 b) On January 20, 2012, Armstrachan verbally confronted a student. The Student had spread 25 untrue rumors that Armstrachan and the student had engaged in sexual conduct. Armstrachan 26 reportedly threw a chair in mock anger away from the student and stated “You’re the kind 0f 27 guy to take a female being kind to you as an invitation and ends up raping her”. Armstrachan Page 2 STIPULATION OF FACTS, SUSPENSION OF RIGHT TO APPLY — ROSHAN ARMSTRACHAN 1 continued to confront the student saying “You and (another student) got into it right here over 2 this...let’s go” with her arms open, indicating she was prepared for whatever happened next 3 (student was at the other end of the hallway with staff). Armstrachan’s actions were conducted 4 in the presence of other students and staff. As a result of Armstrachan’s actions, she was issued 5 a letter of reprimand, a final warning, given a four day unpaid suspension and a mandatory 6 referral to counseling. 7 c) On September 26, 2012, student “P” became upset and was arguing with another student about 8 staying inside the classroom. Another staff member asked P to calm down. After seeing that P 9 had not calmed down, Armstrachan attempted to de-escalate P and told P to calm down and 1O stop yelling. Armstrachan said to P, “I can see you’re hurting” (still, attempting to de-escalate 1 1 P). P called Armstrachan a “Cunt,” to which Armstrachan escalated and raised her voice at 1 2 student P. Student P reported Armstrachan threatened physical violence against her. 13 Armstrachan continued talking to P in a raised tone even after She was being led away from the 14 altercation. Armstrachan's conduct was witnessed by staff and other students. One staff 1 5 member reported hearing Armstrachan comment that she wanted to get some gang members 16 to “take care of some students", which, according to Armstrachan, was taken completely out of 1 7 context, and wanted to purchase bus tickets and offer them free, to any student who wanted to 18 leave. On December 13, 2012, Armstrachan entered into a separation agreement with the 1 9 school district in lieu of termination. 20 . 21 IT IS O STIPULATED: 22 ["14 k0!‘ 0: (0/ 53 23 Rosh' ‘ rmstr' ‘f / / I Date ._/ 24 /;%% lI/ML 4”") __ M27 25 Iictoria er in, Executive Director Date 26 Teacher Standards and Practices Commission 27 CONCLUSIONS OF LAW 28 Roshan Armstrachan’s conduct described in section two, subsections a, b, and c above 29 constitutes gross neglect of duty in violation of ORS 342,175(1)(b); OAR 584-020-0040(4)(n) as it Page 3 STIPULATION OF FACTS, SUSPENSION OF RIGHT TO APPLY — ROSHAN ARMSTRACHAN 1 incorporates OAR 584-020-0010(1) (Recognize the worth and dignity ofall persons and rcspectfor 2 each individual), OAR 584-020-001o(5) (Use professionaljudgment), OAR 584-020-0020(2)(d) 3 (Skill in the supervision ofstudents), OAR 584-020-0030(2)(b) (Skill in communicating with 4 administrators, students, stafi", parents, and other patrons);, OAR 584-020-oo4o(4)(o) as it 5 incorporates OAR 584-o2o—0035(1)(c)(D)(H0noring appropriate adult boundaries with students in 6 conduct and conversations at all times); and OAR 584-020-0040(4)(e) (Violent 0r destructive 7 behavior on school premises or at a school-sponsored activity). 8 The Commission’s authority to impose discipline in this matter is based upon ORS 342.175. 9 ORDER 1 O The Commission hereby adopts and incorporates herein the above stipulation of facts, 1 1 conclusions of law, and based thereon hereby denies Armstrachan’s application for renewal and 12 imposes a Six (6) month suspension upon Armstrachan’s right t0 apply for an Educator License as 1 3 follows: 14 Roshan Armstrachan’s right t0 apply for an Educator License is hereby suspended for six (6) 1 5 months following the adoption of this order. Reinstatement from suspension is contingent upon 16 successful completion of anger management counseling with a Commission approved provider. Said 1 7 counselor must establish Armstrachan is fit to work with children. 1 8 Furthermore, the Commission imposes four (4) years of probation upon Armstrachan to 19 commence upon any reinstatement of her license and subject to the following terms and conditions of 2O probation: 21 1. Armstrachan shall comply with the Standards for Competent and Ethical Performance of 22 Oregon Educators under Oregon Administrative Rules Chapter 584, Division o2o. 23 2. Armstrachan shall, at her own initiative and expense, continue to participate in any 24 continuing counseling if so recommended by above mentioned counseling provider. 25 Violation of any term or condition of probation shall constitute an independent basis for the 26 Commission to revoke Armstrachans educator license or otherwise impose discipline, after first 27 providing Armstrachan with notice and opportunity for hearing. Page 4 STIPULATION OF FACTS, SUSPENSION OF RIGHT TO APPLY — ROSHAN ARMSTRACHAN 1 54/1; / 2 IT IS SO ORDERED this Q day 0f , 204. 3 TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRAC ES COMMISSION 4 Mai/h/ t 5 By: M 6 Victoria Chamhe ' , x cutive Director Page 5 STIPULATION OF FACTS, SUSPENSION OF RIGHT TO APPLY — ROSHAN ARMSTRACHAN CERTIFICATE OF MAILING I HEREBY CERTIFY that I served the foregoing Stipulation of Facts and Final Order of Suspension and Probation. by mailing U.S. First Class Mail and U.S. Certified Mail — Return Receipt Requested, addressed t0: Roshan Armsstrachan 8504 N Burrage Avenue Portland, OR 97217-7010 i (i. DATED this in; day of July, 2015. [<11 i >474" ( I , ( ' By: a .. ) éf/w ‘/ t ,-, It: L tat Liddell Investigative Assistant Certificate of Mailing — Armstrachan, Roshan Data Classification Level: l V Published DO; Liddell .