1 BEFORE THE TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION
2 OF THE STATE OF OREGON
3 In the Matter of the ) STIPULATION OF FACTS AND
4 Educator License of ) FINAL ORDER OF REPRIMAN D
g KEITH EDWARD MEEUWSEN ) AND PROBATION
7 On March 19, 2014, the Commission received a report from the St. Helens School
8 District indicating that Keith Edward Meeuwsen (Meeuwsen) had violated professional
9 standards and local policy when his teaching methods created an emotionally unsafe
1 O environment
1 1 After review of the matters alleged, Meeuwsen and the Commission agree that
12 their respective interests, together with the public interest, are best served by a
13 stipulation to certain facts and the imposition of a public reprimand and a period of
14 probation.
15 By signing below, Meeuwsen acknowledges, understands, stipulates, and agrees
16 to the following: (i) he has been fully advised of his rights to notice and a hearing to
17 contest the findings of fact, conclusions of law, and order set forth below, and fully and
18 finally waives all such rights and any rights to appeal or otherwise challenge this
19 Stipulation of Facts and Final Order of Reprimand and Probation (Stipulation and Final
20 Order); (ii) this Stipulation and Final Order is a public document and disclosed to the
21 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
23 Commission does not approve and adopt this Stipulation and Final Order, then neither
24 Meeuwsen nor the Commission are bound by the terms herein; (iv) he has fully read this
25 Stipulation and Final Order, and understands it completely; (v) he voluntarily, without
26 any force or duress, enters into this Stipulation and Final Order and consents to issuance
27 and entry of the Stipulated Final Order below; (vi) he states that no promise 0r
28 representation has been made to induce him to sign this Stipulation and Final Order;
29 and (vii) he has consulted with an attorney regarding this Stipulation and Final Order
3O and has been fully advised with regard to his rights thereto, or waives any and all rights
31 to consult with an attorney prior to entering into this Stipulation and Final Order and
32 issuance and entry of the Stipulated Final Order below.
33 STIPULATION OF FACI'S
34 1. Keith Edward Meeuwsen has been licensed by the Commission since June 17, 1986.
35 Meeuwsen’s Standard Teaching License, with an endorsement in Standard Social Studies
Page 1 STIPULATION OF FACTS AND FINAL ORDER OF REPRIMAND AND PROBATION- KEITH
EDWARD MEEUWSEN

1 (020), is valid from August 28, 2013, through August 27, 2018. During all relevant times,
2 Meeuwsen was employed by the St. Helens School District.
3 2. On March l9, 2014, the Commission received information from the St. Helens School
4 District indicating Meeuwsen may have committed acts which constitute gross neglect of
5 duty. Commission and District investigations determined the following conduct:
6 a. On or about January 26, 2014, while beginning a new semester of Meeuwsen’s
7 citizenship course, Meeuwsen openly questioned a Latina student (ML) about her
8 immigration status. Meeuwsen explained the goal of the lesson was to help
9 students empathize and understand the challenges immigrants face to gain
10 citizenship. Meeuwsen’s questioning of ML included asking her if she was
11 “legal”, if she had a “green card”, if she had a “visa”, and what she was doing to
12 become a citizen. This dialog took place in front of the entire classroom and
13 caused significant discomfort and embarrassment for ML.
14 b. During the course of the 2014 investigation, another Hispanic student, PG,
15 complained that she felt set apart in class by how Meeuwsen discussed pay
16 disparity and how female Hispanics were statistically the poorest of all the
17 minority / gender combinations. Meeuwsen explained that he was trying to teach
18 a lesson on inequality and the need for equity, and was leading to a discussion of
19 affirmative action. Students reported Meeuwsen stated something like “so you
2O don’t want to be a Hispanic in America”, looked over at PG and said “Sorry P”. PG
21 stated that Meeuwsen’s conduct made her feel embarrassed and uncomfortable in
22 Meeuwsen’s classroom.
23 c. School officials reported overhearing Meeuwsen, during the 2012-2013 school
24 year, make a comment in the classroom that Caucasian students need to make
25 more babies in the future because the Asian and Hispanic populations are rapidly
26 growing while the Caucasian population is shrinking. School officials met with
27 Meeuwsen after this and provided counsel.
28 3. Meeuwsen has sought out learning opportunities to help him improve his methods of
29 teaching and discussing sensitive but important topics without causing discomfort or
30 embarrassment to any students. Information indicates Meeuwsen took steps to repair
31 any damage his conduct may have caused in his teaching relationship with involved
32 students.
33
Page 2 STIPULATION OF FACTS AND FINAL ORDER OF REPRIMAND AND PROBATION- KEITH I
EDWARD MEEUWSEN

1

2

3 IT IS SO STIPULATED:

i M 1/1 Z M

£73 K?‘ '4.‘ ward Mee! I / _ Date a ‘-

8 22h AIL/114221,‘ M) ,2, Z/ /Q

9'1ctoria Chamb'e ain, Executive Director Date
1O Teacher Standards and Practices Commission
1 1 CONCLUSION OF LAW
12 Keith Edward Meeuwsen’s conduct described above constitutes gross neglect of
13 duty in violation ORS 342.175(1)(b); OAR 584-02o-oo4o(4)(n) as it incorporates OAR
14 584-020-0010(1) (Recognize the worth and dignity of all persons and respect for each
1 5 individual), OAR 584-020-001o(5) (Use professional judgment), OAR 584-020-
16 0025(1) (The competent educator is a person who understands students and is able to
17 relate to them in constructive and culturally competent ways. The competent educator
18 establishes and maintains good rapport), OAR 584-020-0025(2)(e) (Using district

19 lawful and reasonable rules and regulations), and OAR 584—o2o-0030(2)(b) (Skill in
20 communicating with administrators, students, staff, parents, and other patrons).

21 The Commission’s authority to impose discipline in this matter is based upon
22 ORS 342.175.

23 ORDER

24 The Commission adopts and incorporates herein the above findings of fact and
25 conclusions of law, and based thereon, imposes a Public Reprimand on Keith Edward
26 Meeuwsen’s Teaching License.

27 Furthermore, the Commission imposes a period of one (1) year of probation upon
28 Meeuwsen to commence from the date this order is signed by the Commission and

29 subject to the following conditions:

Page 3 STIPULATION OF FACTS AND FINAL ORDER OF REPRIMAND AND PROBATION- KEITH
EDWARD MEEUWSEN
' 4—_————_—

1 1. Meeuwsen is directed to successfully complete a Commission approved training
2 course in the area of “Cultural Competency” within ninety days of issuance of this
3 order.
4 2. Meeuwsen is required to submit a letter to the Commission both requesting
5 termination of probation and describing what was learned from the sanction and
6 the required training and how it will change future behavior.
7 3. Meeuwsen shall comply with the Standards for Competent and Ethical
8 Performance 0f Oregon Educators under Oregon Administrative Rules Chapter
9 584, Division 020.
1 O _
1 1 Issued and dated this 1L)“ day of M, 20 i
12 TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COIVHVIISSION
1 3 STATE OF GON
16 Victoria Cha n, ecutive Director
Page 4 STIPULATION OF FACTS AND FINAL ORDER OF REPRIMAND AND PROBATION- KEITH
EDWARD MEEUWSEN

CERTIFICATE OF MAILING
I HEREBY CERTIFY that I served the foregoing Stipulation of Facts and Final Order of Reprimand and
Probation, certified by me as such, by mailing U.S. First Class Mail and U.S. Certified Mail — Return
Receipt Requested, addressed to:
Keith Edward Meeuwsen
52024 SE lcenogle Loop
Scappoose, OR 97056-2543
DATED this OLS day of April, 2016.
By: I
Patt eldon
Investigative Assistant
Certificate of Mailing i Keith Edward Meeuwsen
Data Classification Level: l- Published l
D0: Sheldon