1 BEFORE THE TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION

2 OF THE STATE OF OREGON

3 In the Matter of the )

4 Teaching License of ) STIPULATION OF FACTS AND

g GREGORY WAHL-STEPHENS g ORDER OF SUSPENSION

7 On or about January 10, 2002, the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission

8 (Commission) received a report from Robert L. Hamm, Director of Personnel, West Linn-Wilsonville

9 School District, alleging that Gregory WahI-Stephens (Wahl-Stephens) sexually harassed female
1O students. On December 21, 2001, Mr. Wahl-Stephens resigned his teaching position with the West
11 Linn-Wilsonville School District effective March 31, 2002.
12 Mr. WahI-Stephens fully cooperated with the Commission's investigation. After review of
13 the matters alleged, Mr. Wahl-Stephens and the Commission agree that their respective
14 interests, together with the public interest, are best served by a stipulation to certain facts, and
15 six (6) month suspension of his teaching license. Mr. WahI-Stephens does not admit that he

i 16 engaged in wrongdoing or violated any standards of professional conduct. However, Mr. Wahl-
17 Stephens stipulates that there are sufficient facts contained in the files and records of the
18 Commission to support the findings of fact and conclusion of law set forth below. In entering
19 this stipulation, Mr. WahI-Stephens consents to the Commission making these findings and
20 conclusions, and he understands that the Commission will enter an order suspending his
21 teaching license.
22 This Order sets forth the facts upon which the parties have agreed and the sanction to
23 be imposed. In entering into this stipulation, Mr. WahI-Stephens waives the right to a hearing to
24 contest the finding of fact, conclusion of law and order set forth below.
25 IT IS SO STIPULATED:
26 J4 .- 7—l©~<>2_
27 Cure-'7‘ nir- I ~ Date
. 28 {JW L—7 77p
29 ictoria ha erlain, Exec tive Director Date
3O Teacher Standards and Practices Commission
Page 1 STIPULATION OF FACTS AND ORDER OF SUSPENSION - WahI-Stephens

1 FINDINGS OF FACT
. 2 1. Mr. WahI-Stephens holds a Standard Teaching License with a Standard Language
3 Arts Endorsement effective February 17, 1999, to January 13, 2004.
4 2. Mr. WahI-Stephens was employed as a photography teacher at West Linn High
5 School at the time of his resignation. Mr. Wahl-Stephens began his employment with West
6 Linn-Wilsonville School District in 1981.
7 3. On February 18, 1993, based upon a parent complaint, the district reprimanded Mr.
8 WahI-Stephens for causing a female student to feel very uncomfortable in the classroom. The
9 reprimand included a directive to Mr. Wahl-Stephens, to avoid any physical contact with any
10 student at any time."
11 4. During the 2001-2002 school year, Mr. WahI-Stephens took one or more photographs
12 of female students that were inappropriate.
13 5. During the 2001-2002 school year, Mr. Wahl-Stephens had inappropriate physical
. 14 contacts with female students by hugging female students, allowing students to hug him,
15 rubbing students‘ backs, and tickling or touching students in the midriff area. This conduct
16 made several of the students feel uncomfortable and had the effect of creating an intimidating
17 hostile or offensive educational environment for these students.
18 6. Mr. WahI-Stephens‘ actions were in violation of the district’s earlier directive not to
19 have any physical contact with students.
20 CONCLUSION OF LAW
21 Gregory WahI-Stephens violated OAR 584-020-0040(4)(f) through his interactions with
22 female high school students. This misconduct constitutes Gross Neglect of Duty. The
23 Commission's authority to impose discipline in this matter is based upon ORS 342.175.
24 ORDER
25 The Commission suspends Gregory WahI-Stephens’s teaching license for a period of six
' 26 (6) months beginning on August 3, 2002. At the end of the suspension period, Mr. Wahl-
27 Stephens's teaching license will be reinstated upon:
Page 2 STIPULATION OF FACTS AND ORDER OF SUSPENSION - Wahl-Stephens

1 1. Submission of complete application as per OAR 584-050-0015(3) together with
. 2 required supporting documentation and fees;
3 2. Submission of Documentation that he has completed (at his own expense), an
4 intensive education program regarding appropriate boundaries with students, including sexual
5 harassment education conducted by a qualified trainer or counselor approved in advance by the
6 Commission. This intensive training shall consist of, at least, five (5) one and one-half (1 1/z)
7 hour sessions. j/
8 Dated thisLn day of August 2002
9 TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION
1 O - y I Q
1. 222122124‘
12 ' ictoria Cain, Execu |ve Director
13 Approved as to form:
O15 .
16 {TmJohn S. lshop, OSB #89022
17 Attorney for Gregory Wahl-Stephens [070902]
O
Page 3 STIPULATION OF FACTS AND ORDER OF SUSPENSION — Wahl-Stephens