1 BEFORE THE TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION
l OF THE STATE OF OREGON .
3 In the Matter of the ) STIPULATION OF FACTS
4 Teaching License of ) AND ORDER
5 GREGORY LEE TAYLOR ) REVOKING LICENSE
6 )
7 On July 18, 1997, the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission informed Gregory Lee
8 Taylor that the Commission found sufficient evidence of violation of Standards for Competent
9 and Ethical Performance of Oregon Educators to warrant a hearing regarding his relationship
10 with a female student at Thurston High School in Springfield, Oregon. Mr. Taylor did not
11 request a hearing on the allegations, but the parties have agreed that their respective interest
12 and the interests of the State are best served by a Stipulation of Facts and Order of
13 Revocation as set forth below.
14 FINDINGS OF FACT
15 1. Gregory Lee Taylor holds a Basic Teaching License endorsed in Physical Education
l6 and valid from August 11, 1994 to August 22, 1997.
17 2. Taylor was employed as a substitute teacher at Thurston High School in Springfield,
l8 Oregon during the period 1993 and 1997.
4
19 3. While employed as a substitute teacher, Taylor exploited his professional relationship
20 with a female student at T hurston High School. This relationship was overly personal
21 and inappropriate and was possible because of Taylor’s status as a substitute teacher in
22 the district.
23 4. Taylor disregarded an explicit directive from the student’s father to cease pursuit of
24 the relationship with the student, and he continued to advance the relationship even
25 after the student objected to his advances.
26 5. Taylor failed to use professional judgment in developing the relationship and failed to
27 recognize the boundaries of an appropriate student-teacher relationship. The
28 relationship included personal gifts and cards professing Taylor’s love for the student
29 as well as physical contact consisting of hugging.
30 Gregory Lee Taylor enters into this Stipulation of Facts with knowledge that the Teacher
31 Standards and Practices Commission will revoke his Oregon Teaching License endorsed in
32 physical education. This Stipulation is contingent upon approval and adoption of the Order
33 by the Commission. If the Commission does not adopt this Order, neither Mr. Taylor nor the
34 Commission are bound by these stipulations, and Mr. Taylor retains all rights to a hearing on
35 the allegations.
l PAGE 1--PROPOSED STIPULATION AND ORDER--GREGORY LEE TAYLOR

'1 IT IS SO STIPULATED:
~~ ,7 §_fl.,£_._... / .
. f, ‘l "5? 7

2 a < '41 C l t

3 Gregory aylor Date '

5 David V. Myton, Executi e Secretary Date

6 Teacher Standards and Practices Commission

7 ULTIMATE FINDINGS OF FACT

8 Gregory Lee Taylor exploited his professional relationship with a female student at Thurston

9 High School between 1993 and 1997 and in so doing demonstrated lack of professional

10 judgment needed to serve as a teacher in Oregon schools.

11 CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

12 Gregory Lee Taylor’s actions were in violation of Standards for Competent and Ethical
.3 Performance of Oregon Educators, OAR 584-20-035(1)(b). This rule states that the ethical

l4 educator will refrain from exploiting professional relationships with any student for personal

15 gain.

16 OPINION

17 Gregory Lee Taylor’s actions were egregious given the maturity of the student and given his

l8 unwillingness to discontinue the relationship when informed by the student and the student’s

19 father that the attentions to her were inappropriate. If Mr. Taylor applies for reinstatement of

20 his Oregon Teaching License after the mandatory one year revocation, the burden of proof

21 will be his to establish that he is able to establish appropriate boundaries in professional

22 relationships with youth and young adults and that he has consistently demonstrated the

23 highest ethical standards in employment and volunteer positions since the incidents at

24 Thurston High School in Springfield, Oregon.

25 ORDER

26 The Commission revokes the Oregon Basic Teaching License #282488 endorsed for Physical

27 Education issued to Gregory Lee Taylor, valid from August ll, 1994 to August 22, 1997.
‘ PAGE 2--PROPOSED STIPULATION AND ORDER--GREGORY LEE TAYLOR

1 Dated this 22' day of 5% , 1997.
.2 TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION
3 By: éigwé digit: —
4 David V. Myton, E cutive Secretary
5 DVM/cs
. PAGE 3--PROPOSED STIPULATION AND ORDER-GREGORY LEE TAYLOR

.‘ CERTIFICATE OF MAILING
2 I hereby certify that I served the foregoing order by mailing a true copy thereof certified by
3 me as such by U.S. Certified Mail with Return Receipt Requested to:
4 GREGORY LEE TAYLOR
5 37159 TREE FARM ROAD
6 SPRINGFIELD OR 97478
7 Dated this if? / day of . , 1997.
,7
8 By: . . . ‘T Q
9 Ch lene A. Smith
10 Secretary to the Commission
. PAGE 4--PROPOSED STIPULATION AND ORDER--GREGORY LEE TAYLOR