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 SUSPENSION

5 WHITNEY LEANN GAISTAD )

6

7 0n or about November 30, 2009 the Teacher Standards and Practices

8 Commission (Commission) received a completed alleging Whitney Leann Galstad I

9 (Galstad) served outside of the scope of her license.
1O After review of the matters alleged, Galstad and the Commission agree that their
1 1 respective interests, together with the public interest, are best served by a stipulation to
12 certain facts and the imposition of a 30 day suspension.
13 By signing below, Galstad acknowledges, understands, stipulates, and agrees to
14 the following: (i) she has been fully advised of her rights to notice and a hearing to
1 5 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 Suspension (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 Galstad 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 of
25 the Stipulated Final Order below; (vi) she states that no 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 his 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
30 the Stipulated Final Order below. V p . » '

Page 1 STIPULATlON OF FACTS AND ORDER OF SUSPENSION —GAL$TAD

1 STIPUIATION OF FACI'S
2 1. Whitney Galstad has been licensed as a teacher in Oregon since February 20, 2008. Her
3 current Restricted Transitional Teaching License issued on February 20, 2008, expires
4 on February 2o, 2011.
5 2, Galsbad worked as an English teacher for the Hermiston School District and served in a
6 temporary position as school counselor from January 2008 through June 2008. Galstad
7 was hired by the Echo School District as an English teacher and school counselor for the
8 2008/2009 school year. During these times she held only a Transitional Teaching
9 License with an endorsement in language Arts at the high school level.
1O 3. On July 14, 2010 Galstad applied for an Initial I School counseling license. With this
1 1 application Galstad attached a letter explaining that she was then under investigation
12 because she “did not have the word ‘career’ in front of the job title as ‘counselor’ on [her]
13 school blog 0r on [her] resume.”
14 4. On the resume submitted to the Commission on February 8, 2008, Galstad listed her
1 5 career objective as “Obtain a position as a school counser at Hermiston High School.”
16 5. On her resume submitted with her June 17, 2008 cover letter in support of her
17 application to the Echo School District Galstad listed her career objective as “Obtain a
,7 18 Career/English teaching and counseling position within the Echo School District.”
19 Galsbad under “Relevant Experience” listed “High School Counselor, Hermiston High
20 School, January 2008-Jun 2008.” As part of that experience Galstad wrote that she,
21 “Provided guidance to students on an individual basis in the solution of problems”. In
22 her cover letter, Galstad wrote that she occupied a temporary counseling position at
23 Hermiston High School and that her duties involved “guiding students in both academic
24 and personal decisions...”
25 6. During an interview with a Commission investigator Galstad denied serving as a school
26 counselor despite the school so identifying her, and despite her own documentation to
27 . the contrary.
28 IT IS SO STIPULATED:
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34 'ictoria 4;," "- r In, Executive Director Date ~
35 Teacher Stand a and Practices Commission
36 / / /
Page 2 STtPULATlON OF FACTS AND ORDER 0F SUSPENSION -GALSTAD

1 CONCLUSION OF LAW
2 Witney Leann Galstad served outside of her endorsement area when she accepted a
3 position as a school counselor first with the Hermiston School District and again when she
4 accepted such duties with the Echo School District. This conduct constitutes gross neglect of
5 duty in violation of ORS 342.175(1)(b); OAR 584-o2o-oo4o(4)(n) as it incorporates OAR 584-
6 020-0010(5) (Use professional judgment); and OAR 584-020-oo4o(4)(o) as it incorporates
7 OAR 584-020-0035(2)(a) (Apply for, accept, offer, or assign a position of responsibility only
8 on the basis of professional qualifications, and will adhere to the conditions of a contract or the
9 terms of the appointment).
10 Galstad was untruthful with the Commission when interviewed about these allegations,
1 1 This conduct constitutes gross neglect of duty in violation of ORS 342.175(1)(b); OAR 584-020-
12 oo4o(4)(n) as it incorporates OAR 584-020-0010(5) (Use professional judgment); and OAR
13 584-020-oo4o(4)(c) (Knowing falsification of any document or knowing misrepresentation
14 directly related to licensure, employment, or professional duties).
15 The Commission’s authority to impose discipline in this matter is based upon
16 ORS 342.175.
1 7 ORDER
18 The Commission hereby imposes a 30 day suspension on the licensure of
19 Whitney Leann Galstad.
é 7'10
20 Issued and dated this / day of May, 2011.
21 TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION
22 STATE OF REGON
23 "
24 By M/
25 Victoria C e ain xecutive Director
Page 3 STIPULATION OF FACTS AND ORDER OF SUSPENSION —GALSTAD