1 BEFORE THE TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION

2 OF THE STATE OF OREGON

3 In the Matter of the ) STIPULATION OF FACT S

4 Teaching License of ) AND REVOCATION

5 WATANABE, LESLIE YUSUKE ) OF RIGHT TO APPLY FOR LICENSURE

6 On or about June 1 2011, the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission ‘

7 (Commission) received a report from the Washington County Sheriffs oflice stating that Mr.

8 Watanabe was under investigation for sexual improprieties with a student in the 1980’s.

9 After review of the matters alleged, Watanabe and the Commission agree that their
1O respective interests, together with the public interest, are best served by a stipulation to certain
11 facts and Revocation of Watanabe’s right to apply for an Oregon teaching license.
12 This document sets forth the facts upon which the parties have agreed and the stipulated
13 sanction to be imposed. Watanabe stipulates that there is sufficient evidence in the
14 Commission’s files and records to support the findings of fact, conclusions of law, and order set
1 5 forth below. _
16 By signing below, Watanabe acknowledges, understands, stipulates, and agrees to the
17 following: (i) he has been fully advised of his lights to notice and a hearing to contest the
18 findings of fact, conclusions of law, and order set forth below, and fully and finally waives all
19 such rights and any rights to appeal or otherwise challenge this Stipulation of Facts and Final
20 Order of Surrender and Revocation of Licensure (Stipulation and Final Order); (ii) this
21 Stipulation and Final Order is a public document and disclosed to the public upon request by the
22 Commission; (iii) this Stipulation and Final Order is contingent upon and subject to approval
23 and adoption by the Commission. If the Commission does not approve and adopt this
24 Stipulation and Final Order, then neither Watanabe nor the Commission are bound by the terms
25 herein; (iv) he has fully read this Stipulation and Final Order, and understands it completely; (v)
26 he voluntarily, without any force or duress, enters into this Stipulation and Final Order an l
27 consents to issuance and entry of the Stipulated Final Order below; (vi) he states that no

Page 1 STIPULATION OF FACTS AND REVOCATION OF_RlGHT TO APPLY- LESLIE WATANABE
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1 promises or representation has been made to induce him to sign this Stipulation and Final
2 Order; and (vii) he has consulted with an attorney regarding this Stipulation and Final Order
3 and has been fully advised with regard to his rights thereto, or waives any and all rights to
4 consult with an attorney prior to entering into this Stipulation and Final Order and issuance and
5 entry of the Stipulated Final Order below. This Order sets forth the facts upon which the parties
6 have agreed and the sanction to be imposed. Watanabe stipulates that there are sufficient facts
7 contained in the Commission’s files and records to support the findings of fact and conclusions
8 of law set forth below. In entering into this stipulation, Watanabe waives the right to a hearing
9 to contest the findings of fact, conclusions of law and order set forth below.
10 STIPULATION OF FACTS
11 1. The Commission has licensed Watanabe since October 23, 2002. Mr. Watanabe last
12 held a limited Teaching License with an endorsement in PE — Dance only, that ex1. ired
13 on March 23, 2012. During all relevant times Mr. Watanabe was employed by the
14 Beaverton School District.
15 2. In and around the year of 1980, Mr. Watanabe Was employed by the Reed College
16 located in Portland Oregon as a dance instructor. During the summer of 1980, Mr.
17 Watanabe was a dance instructor for the Reed College, five week, summer dance festival
18 workshop, teaching a Master Dance class to both adult and minor age students. Mr.
19 Watanabe was not a licensed teacher at that time, and this employment did not require a
20 teaching license. RC was a minor, approximately 14-15 years old at the time, and a
21 student in Mr. Watanabe’s class.
22 3. During the summer dance class of 1980, Mr. Watanabe invited his student, RC out for
23 coffee, and later out for dinner. Mr. Watanabe described to investigators that he and RC
24 connected during this time and that he invited RC to his college provided dorm room
25 where he and RC engaged in sexual intercourse‘. Mr. Watanabe advised that he was fully
26 aware that RC was under the age of consent (18) at the time. Mr. Watanabe described the
Page 2 STIPULATION OF FACTS AND REVOCATION OF RIGHT TO APPLY- LESLIE WATANABE .

‘ 1 sexual encounter as a one time, consensual event. Law enforcement was unable to
2 prosecute Mr. Watanabe for the criminal behavior due to the statute of limitations
l 3 having expired. On October 23, 2002, Mr. Watanabe became a licensed teacher in the
; 4 State of Oregon and has been employed as a part-time fitness and dance teacher, varying
i 5 between working .50 and .83 I-TE each school year.
6
7 1T IS I STIPULATED: / /
8 a‘ h é 7 L '7 f 2 _
9 Les 'Al atanabe Date
1o M
' 1 1'1ctoria Cha n a ecutive Director Date
12 Teacher Standards and Practices Commission
13 CONCLUSION OF LAW
14 Leslie Watanabe engaged in unprofessional conduct as described in paragraph 3 above.
15 This conduct constitutes gross neglect of duty in violation of ORS 342.175(1)(b); OAR 584-020-
16 oo4o(4)(n) as it incorporates OAR 584-o2o-oo1o(5) (Use professional judgment); OAR 584-
17 020-040(4)(o) as it incorporates OAR 584-020-0035(1)(c)(D) (Honoring appropriate adult
18 boundaries with students in conduct and conversations at all times); and OAR 584-020-
19 0040(4)(f) (Any sexual conduct with a student). This conduct also constitutes gross unfitress in
20 violation of ORS 342.175(1)(c); OAR 584-o2o-oo4o(5)(e) (Admission of or engaging in acts
21 constituting criminal conduct, even in the absence of a conviction).
22 The Commission’s authority to impose discipline in this matter is based upon ORS
23 342.175.
24 ORDER
25 The Commission adopts the above Stipulation of Facts and permanently revokes Leslie ‘
26 Watanabe’s right to apply for a teaching license.
Page 3 STIPULATION OF FACTS AND REVOCATION OF RIGHT TO APPLY- LESLIE WATANABE

1 It is further stipulated and ordered that Mr. Watanabe agrees no to reapply for a
2 Commission license in the future.
3 IT IS SO ORDERED this K5—%day of November, 2012. >
4 TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION
6 By: M)
7 Victoria Chamb , cutive Director
1 .
I
Page 4 STIPULATION OF FACTS AND REVOCATION OF RIGHT TO APPLY- LESLIE WATANABE