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 Teaching License of ) FINAL ORDER OF REPRIMAND

5 ANA CHRISTINE EBELING )

g On or about August 25, 2008 the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission

8 (Commission) received information regarding possible inappropriate conduct by Ana

9 Christine Ebeling (Ebeling), a teacher in the Bend-La Pine School District.
10 After review of the matters alleged, Ebeling and the Commission agree that their
11 respective interests, together with the public interest, are best served by a stipulation to
12 certain facts and the imposition of a Public Reprimand.
13 By signing below, Ebeling acknowledges, understands, stipulates, and agrees to
14 the following: (i) she has been fully advised of her rights to notice and a hearing to
15 contest the findings of fact, conclusions of law, and order set forth below, and fully and
16 finally waives all such rights and any rights to appeal or otherwise challenge this
17 Stipulation of Facts and Final Order of Reprimand (Stipulation and Final Order); (ii) this
18 Stipulation and Final Order is a public document and disclosed to the public upon
19 request by the Commission; (iii) this Stipulation and Final Order is contingent upon and
20 subject to approval and adoption by the Commission. If the Commission does not
21 approve and adopt this Stipulation and Final Order, then neither Ebeling nor the
22 Commission are bound by the terms herein; (iv) she has fully read this Stipulation and
23 Final Order, and understands it completely; (v) she voluntarily, without any force or
24 duress, enters into this Stipulation and Final Order and consents to issuance and entry
25 of the Stipulated Final Order below; (vi) she states that n0 promise or representation has
26 been made to induce her to sign this Stipulation and Final Order; and (vii) she has
27 consulted with an attorney regarding this Stipulation and Final Order and has been fully
28 advised with regard to her rights thereto, or waives any and all rights to consult with an
29 attorney prior to entering into this Stipulation and Final Order and issuance and entry of
3O the Stipulated Final Order below.
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Page 1 STIPULATION OF FACTS AND ORDER OF REPRIMAND —EBEL|NG, ANA CHRISTINE

1 STlPULATlON OF FACTS

2 1. The Commission has licensed Ebeling since September 3, 2002. Ebeling

3 currently holds an Initial liTeaching License, with an endorsement in Chemistry at

4 the high school level, issued December 19, 2008 and valid through December

5 18, 201 1.

6 2. On March 25, 2008, the Commission received a letter from Bend-LaPine School

7 District reporting the conclusion of a district investigation of Ebeling for discipline

8 methods used in her classroom.

9 3. Ebeling followed standard school discipline policies. In addition, at the request
10 of students, in lieu of detention, students had the option to pay a fine (which was
11 spent on the next block for classroom supplies, i.e., A block money went to B
12 block, etc.), sing a song (this was only for D block as most of the students in this
13 block had choir during C block and always came into class singing), and for a
14 bn'ef period, volunteer to receive an electric shock from a hand operated
15 generator. The hand operated generator had been in several schools in the
16 District for years, and the students loved to play with it. During a lecture on
17 electrolytes, a student asked if he could bring the generator from the physics
18 classroom to the chemistry classroom, so that he could demonstrate what good
19 electrolytes humans are. Once it was in Ebeling’s chemistry classroom, which
20 was the case for only a brief two to three week period, students requested that
21 they be given the option to receive a shock for being tardy in lieu of serving
22 detention. Finally, if a student fell asleep in class, class policy was that the
23 student had to stand in a penalty box, which was a painted area on the floor,

24 facing the overhead screen, which was the focal point of the classroom, allowing
25 the student to pay attention to and follow the curriculum and classroom
26 discussion.

Page 2 STIPULATION 0F FACTS AND ORDER OF REPRIMAND —EBEL|NG. ANA CHRISTINE

1 4. The electric shock option was available in Ebeling’s class for only two to three
2 weeks. Students reported that the shock caused pain, short term numbness, and
3 that it was uncomfortable.
4 5. No students were injured long-term by receiving an electric shock from the device in
5 Ebeling’s class. However, Ebeling admits that using such a device to shock students
6 was inappropriate, As the teacher, she demonstrated poor decision-making by allowing
7 this punishment option to be used in her class.
8 IT IS SO STIPULATED:
9 , ‘ R
,Ofise c tel 20H
11 Ana stine Ebelin Date
12 ‘
13 M) s2 *//' Z
14 ictoria Cha ‘ , Executive Director Date
15 Teacher Standards and Practices Commission
16 ' CONCLUSION OF LAW
17 Ana Christine Ebeling utilized inappropriate methods to maintain discipline in her
18 classroom. This conduct constitutes Gross Neglect of Duty in violation of OAR 584-020-
19 0040(4)(d) (Unreasonable physical force against students, fellow employees, or visitors
20 to the school, except as permitted under ORS 339.250) and OAR 584-020-0040(4)(n) as
21 it incorporates OAR 584-020-0010(1) (Use professional judgment). The Commission's
22 authority to impose discipline in this matter is based upon ORS 342.175.
23 ORDER
24 The Commission hereby imposes a Public Reprimand on the Iicensure of Ana
25 Christine Ebeling. >4
26 Issued and dated this // day of February, 2011.
27 TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION
28 STATE 0F EGON
29
30 B
31 ictoria Cham ain. Executive Director
Page 3 STIPULATION OF FACTS AND ORDER OF REPRIMAND ~EBELING, ANA CHRISTINE