1 BEFORE THE TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION

2 OF THE STATE OF OREGON

i ln the Matter of the ) DEFAULT ORDER OF

5 Teaching License of ) IMPOSITION OF PUBLIC

6 STEVEN ANDREW MORRIS ) REPRIMAND AND PROBATION

7

8 On February 10, 2009, the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (Commission)
9 issued a Notice of Opportunity for Hearing to Steven Andrew Morris (Morris) in which the

10 Commission charged him with misconduct under ORS 342.175. The Notice was sent via U.S.
11 First Class Mail and U.S. Certified Mail Receipt 7008 1140 0002 8581 2478 to the address on
12 file with the Commission. The Notice of Opportunity of Hearing, dated February 10, 2009 and
13 signed by Victoria Chamberlain, Executive Director, stated:

14 "You, Steven A. Morris, are entitled to a hearing on the proposed action of the

15 Commission. If you want a hearing, you must file a written request for a hearing

16 with the Commission within 21 days of the date of this notice. Attached to this

17 notice is a copy of the procedures, right of representation and other rights of

18 parties relating to the conduct of a hearing as required under ORS 183.413(2)."
23 The certified mail receipt shows that Morris received the notice on February 12,
21 2009. Morris did not request a hearing. The Commission, therefore, finds Morris to be
22 in default and enters the following findings of fact, conclusions of law and order, based
23 on the files and records of the Commission concerning this matter.
24 FINDINGS OF FACT
25 1. 0n or about February 21, 2007, while working for the Camas Valley School District, you
26 shoved a student (CD) during class. The physical contact with the student was not the
27 result of a need to physically restrain the student based on potential harm the student
28 may cause to him or herself, property or others as allowed by district policy.
29 2. On May 14, 2008, in an interview with a Commission investigator, you were not
30 forthcoming regarding the incident where you shoved CD, claiming that your contact with
31 CD was a reaction move that only resulted in touching CD'S shirt.

EASI/EQN- DEFAULT ORDER OF IMPOSITION OF PUBLIC REPRIMAND AND PROBATION — MORRIS,

1 CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
2
3 Steven Andrew Morris’ conduct toward student CD constitutes gross neglect of duty,
4 ORS 342.175(b) in violation of OAR 584-020-0040(4)(d) (“Unreasonable physical force against
5 students, fellow employees, or visitors to the school, except as permitted under ORS 339. 250”).
6 This conduct also violates OAR 584-020-0040(4)(n) (“Substantial deviation from professional
7 standards of competency set forth in OAR 584-020-0010 through 584-020-0030"), as it
8 incorporates the following: OAR 584-020-0025(2)(a) (“Establishing and maintaining classroom
9 management that is conducive to learning’); OAR 584-020-0010(1) (“Recognize the worth and
10 dignity of all persons and respect for each individual"); and OAR 584-020-0010(5) (“ Use of
11 professional judgment"). The Commission has the authority to discipline Morris in regards to
12 this conduct pursuant ORS 342.175(1)(b), and OAR 584-020-0040(4)(d) and (n). During an
13 interview with a TSPC investigator, Morris was not completely forthcoming with regard to this
14 incident. This conduct is evidence of gross neglect of duty, ORS 342.175(1)(b), in violation of
15 OAR 584-020-0040(4)(c) (“knowing falsification of any document or knowing misrepresentation
16 directly related to Iicensure, employment or professional duties"). The Commission has the
17 authority to discipline Morris in regards to this conduct pursuant ORS 342.175(1)(b) and OAR
18 584-020-0040(4)(c).
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PAGE 2 — DEFAULT ORDER OF IMPOSITION OF PUBLIC REPRIMAND AND PROBATION — MORRIS,
STEVEN

1 FINAL ORDER
2 The Commission adopts and incorporates herein the above findings of facts and
3 conclusions of law, and based thereon, hereby imposes a Public Reprimand on the Standard
4 Teaching License issued to Steven Andrew Morris.
5 Furthermore, the Commission imposes a two (2) year probation upon Morris to
6 commence the date of adoption of this order and subject to the following terms and conditions of
7 probation:
8 1. Morris shall comply with the Standards for Competent and Ethical Performance of
9 Oregon Educators under Oregon Administrative Rules Chapter 584, Division 020.
10 Violation of any term or condition of probation shall constitute an independent basis for
11 the Commission to revoke Morris’ teaching license or othen/vise impose discipline, after first
12 providing Morris with notice and opportunity for hearing.
13 Issued and dated this fl day of May, 2009. .
14 TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION
12 .
18 Victoria Cha , xecutive Director
19
20 NOTICE OF APPEAL OR RIGHTS
32 YOU ARE ENTITLED TO JUDICIAL REVIEW OF THIS ORDER. JUDICIAL REVIEW MAY BE
23 OBTAINED BY FILING A PETITION FOR REVIEW WITHIN 60 DAYS FROM THE SERVICE
24 OF THIS ORDER. JUDICIAL REVIEWIS PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ORS
25 183.482 TO THE OREGON COURT OF APPEALS.
ZTS'IESN- DEFAULT ORDER OF IMPOSITION OF PUBLIC REPRIMAND AND PROBATION — MORRIS,

1 CERTIFICATE OF MAILING
2
3 I hereby certify that l served the foregoing order by mailing a true copy thereof certified by me
4 as such by U.S. First Class Mail and U.S. Certified Mail-Return Receipt Requested, addressed
5 to:
6
7 Steve Andrew Morris
8 PO Box 72
9 Camas Valley OR 97416
10 245
11 Dated this day of May, 2009.
12 .
13 ‘
14
15 By: ,
16 Melo y Hans ecutive Assistant
PAGE 1 — CERTIFICATE OF MAILING — STEVEN ANDREW MORRIS