1 BEFORE THE TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION
2 OF THE STATE OF OREGON
3 In the Matter of the ) STIPULATION OF FACTS, FINAL
4 Teaching License of ) ORDER OF SUSPENSION OF
5 RYAN SCOTT SUSSENGUTH ) RIGHT TO APPLY AND
6 ) PROBATION
g On or about June 16, 2009, the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission
9 (Commission) received a report indicating possible inappropriate conduct by Ryan
10 Sussenguth, a teacher in the Gresham-Barlow School District. On January 8, 2010, the
-.. 11 Superintendent of the Camas Valley School District reported that Mr. Sussenguth may
12 have engaged in misconduct.
13 After review of the matters alleged, Mr. Sussenguth and the Commission agree
14 that their respective interests, together with the public interest, are best served by a
15 stipulation to certain facts and the imposition of a three—month suspension of the right to
16 apply for a license and then a four-year probation upon his license.
17 By signing below, Mr. Sussenguth acknowledges, understands, stipulates, and \
18 agrees to the following: (i) he has been fully advised of his rights to notice and a hearing
19 to contest the findings of fact, conclusions of law, and order set torth below, and fully and
2O finally waives all such rights and any rights to appeal or otherwise challenge this
21 Stipulation of Facts and Final Order of Suspension and Probation (Stipulation and Final
22 Order); (ii) this Stipulation and Final Order is a public document and disclosed to the
23 public upon request by the Commission; (iii) this Stipulation and Final Order is
24 contingent upon and subject to approval and adoption by the Commission. If the
25 Commission does not approve and adopt this Stipulation and Final Order, then neither
26 Mr. Sussenguth northe Commission are bound by the terms herein; (iv) he has fully
27 read this Stipulation and Final Order, and understands it completely; (v) he voluntarily,
28 without any force or duress, enters into this Stipulation and Final Order and consents to
Page 1 STIPULATION OF FACTS, ORDER or suspenstou OF RIGHT T62?“ PROBATION - SUSSENGUTH

1 issuance and entry of the Stipulated Final Order below; (vi) he states that no promise or
2 representation has been made to induce him to sign this Stipulation and Final Order; and
3 (vii) he has consulted with an attorney regarding this Stipulation and Final Order and has
4 been fully advised with regard to his rights thereto, or waives any and all rights to consult
5 with an attorney prior to entering into this Stipulation and Final Order and issuance and
6 entry of the Stipulated Final Order below.
7 STIPULATION OF FACTS
> 8 1. Mr. Sussenguth has not been licensed by TSPC. On August 7, 2009, Mr.
9 Sussenguth signed and submitted an application for Educator License Form C-1.
10 He previously worked as a classified employee in the Gresham-Barlow School
11 District and his most recent assignment was as a math teacher in the Douglas
12 County School District.
13 2. On June 7, 2009, Mr. Sussenguth took a female student, whom he had tutored in math,
14 to the beach and to a baseball game.
15 3. During the Commission investigation into Mr. Sussenguth's contact with this female
16 student, he stated that he thought the student had a crush on him, and that she was
17 flirtatious. Mr. Sussenguth did not report this conduct to his supervisor.
18 4. On June 22, 2009, Mr. Sussenguth signed an employment contract with Douglas County
19 School District to serve as a mathematics teacher. On January 26, 2010, Mr.
20 Sussenguth was placed on administrative leave after the District discovered that he did
21 not possess a valid Oregon teaching license. Mr. Sussenguth served during the 2009-
22 2010 school year without a license.
23 5. Orr November 6, 2009, Mr. Sussenguth was contacted by email by the District
24 requesting a copy of his teaching license. On November 10, 2009, Mr. Sussenguth
25 responded by email, “Yes l will get you this by next week, it is back at home in Gresham,
Page 2 STIPULATION OF FACTS, onosn 0F SUSPENSION OF RIGHT TO APPLY, PROBATION -SUSSENGUTH

1 but l‘ll have my mom mail it down to me." Mr. Sussenguth has never possessed an

2 Oregon teaching license.

3 IT IS so STIPULATED:

g i; g é: 2-34/

6 Ryan cott Sussenguth _ Date

9 Victoria Cha r am, Executive Director Date
10 Teacher Standards and Practices Commission
1 1
12 CONCLUSION OF LAW
13 Mr. Sussenguth had inappropriate contact with a student, as described in paragraph 2
14 above. This conduct constitutes gross neglect of duty in violation of ORS 342.175(1)(b); OAR
15 584-020-0040(4)(0) as it incorporates OAR 584-020-0035(1)(c)(D) (Maintain an appropriate
16 professional student-teacher relationship by: Honoring appropriate adult boundaries with
17 students in conduct and conversations at all times); and OAR 584-020-0040(4)(n) as it
18 incorporates OAR 584-020-0010(1) (Recognize the worth and dignity of all persons and respect
19 for each individual) and OAR 584-020-0010(5) (Use professional judgment).
20 Mr. Sussenguth failed to report a student's potential romantic interest in him, as
21 described in paragraph 3 above. This conduct constitutes gross neglect of duty in violation of
22 ORS 342.175(1)(b); OAR 584-020-0040(4)(0) as it incorporates OAR 584-020-0035(1)(a‘5’(“6)
23 (Reporting to the educator's supervisor if the educator has reason to believe a student is or may
24 be becoming romantically attached to the educator); and OAR 584-020-0040(4)(n) as it
25 incorporates OAR 584-020-0010(5) (Use professional judgment).
26 Mr. Sussenguth worked as a teacher without a license, as described in paragraph 4
27 above. This conduct constitutes gross neglect of duty in violation of ORS 342.175(1)(b); OAR
28 584-020-0040(4)(r) (Knowingly working without a license) and OAR 584-020-0040(4)(n) as it
29 incorporates OAR 584-020-0010(5) (Use professional judgment).

Page a STIPULATION or FACTS, ORDER 0F SUSPENSION OF RIGHT TO APPLY, PROBATION - sussencum

1 Mr. Sussenguth falsely stated that he possessed an Oregon teaching license, as
2 described in paragraph 5 above. This conduct constitutes gross neglect Oi duty in violation of
3 ORS 342.175(1)(b); OAR 584-020-0040(4)(c) (Knowing falsification of any document or
4 knowing misrepresentation directly related to licensure, employment, or professional duties) and
5 OAR 584-020-0040(4)(n) as it incorporates OAR 584-020-0010(5) (Use professional judgment).
6 ORDER
7 The Commission adopts and incorporates herein the above findings of fact and
8 conclusions of law, and based thereon, imposes a one-year Suspension of Ryan Scott
9 Sussenguth’s right to apply for a teaching license. Mr Sussenguth will be eligible to
10 apply for a teaching license at any time after August 31, 2011 because the Commission
11 and Mr. Sussenguth intended this agreement to be ratified by the Commission in August
1 2 201 0.
13 Furthermore, the Commission places Mr. Sussenguth on Probation for a period
14 of four (4) years from the date this order is executed by the Commission subject to the
15 following terms and conditions:
16 1. Mr. Sussenguth shall refrain from engaging in any relationship or contact with
17 a student that might be considered inappropriate under Commission statutes
18 or administrative rules.
19 2. If any student exhibits possible romantic interest in Mr. Sussenguth, Mr.
20 Sussenguth shall immediately report this behavior to his supervisor.
21 3. Mr. Sussenguth will ensure that he has obtained proper licensure before
22 accepting any teaching position and will ensure that he maintains proper
23 licensure throughout the duration of each teaching contract.
24 4. Mr. Sussenguth shall accurately report his licensing status to employers and
25 potential employers, and
Page 4 STIPULATION OF FACTS, ORDER OF SUSPENSION OF RIGHT TO APPLY, PROBATION - susssncurn

1 5. Mr. Sussenguth shall comply with the Standards for Competent and Ethical
2 Performance of Oregon Educators under Oregon Administrative Rules
3 Chapter 584, Division 020.
4 Violation of any term or condition ct probation shall constitute an independent
5 basis for the Commission to revoke Mr. Sussenguth’s teaching license, revoke his right
6 to apply for a license, or otherwise impose discipline, after first providing Mr. Sussenguth
7 with notice and opportunity for hearing.
8
//”’
9 Issued and dated this day of February, 2011.
10 TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION
1 1 STATE OF OREGON
12 . ‘
13 QY/MMLW/f
14 ictoria Cha r ain, Executive Director
15
Page 5 STIPULATION OF FACTS, ORDER OF SUSPENSION OF RIGHT TO APPLY. PROBATION - SUSSENGUTH