1 BEFORE THE TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION

2 OF THE STATE OF OREGON ,

3 In the Matter of the ) STIPULATION OF FACTS,

4 Teaching License of ) AND FINAL ORDER

g RHONDA LYNN STECKER ) OF REPRIMAND

7 On May 1, 2009, the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (Commission)

8 internally referred Rhonda Lynn Stecker (Stecker) for teaching outside of her endorsement area.

9 After review of the matters alleged, Stecker and the Commission agree that their
10 respective interests, together with the public interest, are best served by a stipulation to certain
1 1 facts and imposition of a Public Reprimand on her teaching license.
12 This document sets forth the facts upon which the parties have agreed and the stipulated
13 sanction to be imposed. Stecker stipulates that there is sufficient evidence in the Commission’s
14 files and records to support the findings of fact, conclusions of law, and order set forth below.
15 By signing below, Stecker acknowledges, understands, stipulates, and agrees to the
16 following: (i) she has been fully advised of her rights to notice and a hearing to contest the
1 7 findings of fact, conclusions of law, and order set forth below, and fully and finally waives all
1 8 such rights and any rights to appeal or otherwise challenge this Stipulation of Facts, Order of
19 Reprimand (Stipulation and Final Order); (ii) this Stipulation and Final Order is a public
20 document and disclosed to the public upon request by the Commission; (iii) this Stipulation and
21 Final Order is contingent upon and subject to approval and adoption by the Commission. If the
22 Commission does not approve and adopt this Stipulation and Final Order, then neither Stecker
23 nor the Commission are bound by the terms herein; (iv) she has fully read this Stipulation and
24 Final Order, and understands it completely; (v) she voluntarily, without any force or duress,
25 enters into this Stipulation and Final Order and consents to issuance and entry of the Stipulated
26 Final Order below; (vi) she states that no promises or representation has been made to induce
27 her to sign this Stipulation and Final Order; and (vii) she has consulted with an attorney
28 regarding this Stipulation and Final Order and has been fully advised with regard to her rights
29 thereto, or waives any and all rights to consult with an attorney prior to entering into this
30 Stipulation and Final Order and issuance and entry of the Stipulated Final Order below. This
31 stipulation is contingent upon approval and adoption of the Order by the Commission. If the
32 Commission does not adopt this Order, neither Stecker nor the Commission are bound by these
33 Stipulations and Stecker retains all rights to a hearing on the allegations.
34 / / /
35 / / /

Page 1 STIPULATION OF FACTS, AND FINAL ORDER OF REPRIMAND - STECKER, RHONDA LYNN

1 STIPULATION OF FACTS
2 1. The Commission has licensed Stecker since January 4, 1990. Stecker currently holds a
3 Standard Teaching License, with endorsements in Basic ESOL, Standard Reading, and
4 Standard Social Studies, valid from September 10, 2008 to May 22, 2014. Stecker also holds
5 an Initial I School Counselor License issued November 10, 2008, that expires on May 22,
6 2012. During all relevant times, Stecker was employed by the Clatskanie School District.
7 2. Between 2003 and 2006 Stecker served as a language arts teacher. Stecker’s license was not
8 valid for service in this area. During this time Stecker held a Standard Teaching License
9 with endorsements in Basic ESOL, Standard Reading and Standard Social Studies.
1 0 3. Stecker applied for ESOL and Reading Specialists positions throughout Columbia County for
1 1 the 2003-2004 school year. Stecker was solicited by the Clatskanie School District to teach
12 language arts at Clatskanie High School. Stecker took the language arts assignment based
13 on assurances from the District that it would seek the appropriate permit to allow her to
14 teach out-of-field. She also anticipated being allowed to transfer into a reading specialist
15 position when the position became vacant due to a retirement. Stecker requested a transfer
16 to a reading specialist position for the 2004-2005 school year, which was denied. When her
17 transfer request was denied, the District continued to assign Stecker to high school language
1 8 arts.
19 4. On October 18, 2005 the Commission received from Stecker’s employing school district, a
20 paper application for a Conditional Assignment Permit (CAP) to allow Stecker to teach
21 language arts. On January 19, 2006 the Commission informed the district that the
22 documentation submitted was not acceptable and would need to be resubmitted
23 electronically. The Commission was not informed at that time that Stecker had been
24 teaching out of field for the prior two school years.
25 5. The Clatskanie Schooi District did not submit the necessary paperwork for the CAP until
26 halfway through the time Stecker was improperly assigned. Stecker explained that she
27 believed that her employer had completed the necessary paperwork for the assignment, and
28 that she could work outside of her endorsement, so long as she was working toward adding
29 the new endorsement t0 her license. However, Stecker did not take the Praxis English
3O Literature examination to qualify for the Language Arts endorsement until more than two
31 years after she started teaching outside her licensed field.
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Page 2 STIPULATION 0F FACTS, AND FINAL ORDER 0F REPRIMAND - STECKER, RHONDA LYNN

1 IT IS STIPU TE I

2 L_//I§ %£B6@c 12%de 2 ,Qrg'”

3 Rhon a Lynn Stecker Date

4

5 MM MM is?”

6 Victoria Chamberlain, Executive Director Date

7 Teacher Standards and Practices Commission

8

9
1 O CONCLUSION OF LAW
1 1 Rhonda Lynn Stecker served outside of the endorsement area of her license. This
12 conduct constitutes gross neglect of duty in violation of ORS 342.175(1)(b); OAR 584-020-
13 oo4o(4)(r) (Knowingly working without a license), and OAR 584—020-oo4o(4)(n) as it
14 incorporates OAR 584-020-0010(5) (Use professional judgment) and OAR 584-020—
15 oo4o(4)(o) as it incorporates OAR 584-020-0035(2)(a) (Apply for, accept, offer, or assign a
16 position of responsibility only on the basis of professional qualifications, and will adhere to the
17 conditions of a contract or the terms of the appointment).
18 The Commissions authority to impose discipline in this matter is based upon ORS
19 342.175. I
20 ORDER
21 The Commission adopts and incorporates herein the above findings of fact and
22 conclusion of law, based thereon, hereby imposes a Public Reprimand 0n the Teaching License
23 of Rhonda Lynn Stecker. WWW W
24 IT IS so ORDERED this i day ()me 2011.
25 TEACHER ST DARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION
2? By: x @he é 27*wa
28 Victoria Cha in xecutive Director

Page 3 STIPULATION OF FACTS, AND FINAL ORDER OF REPRIMAND - STECKER, RHONDA LYNN