i ' 1 BEFORE THE TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION

2 OF THE STATE OF OREGON

3 In the Matter of the )

4 Teaching License of ) STIPULATION OF FACTS

g PAUL BRIAN HITCHEN g AND ORDER OF REPRIMAND

7 On or about October 23, 2000, the Teacher Standards and Practices

8 Commission (Commission) received a report from Peter Craemer, Assistant

9 Superintendent, St. Helens School District, indicating that he recommended Paul
10 Hitchen’s dismissal as a result of physical contact with a male eighth grade student in
11 the school gymnasium on October 10, 2000.
12 Mr. Hitchen fully cooperated with the Commission's investigation. After review of
13 the matters alleged, Mr. Hitchen and the Commission agree that their respective
>14 interests, together with the public interest, are best served by a stipulation to certain
15 facts and the imposition of a Public Reprimand. This Order sets forth the facts upon
16 which the parties have agreed and the sanction to be imposed. In entering into this
17 stipulation, Mr. Hitchen waives the right to a hearing to contest the findings of fact,
18 conclusion of law and order set forth below.
19 STIPULATION 0F FACTS
20 1. TSPC has licensed Mr. Hitchen as an Oregon Educator continuously since
21 April 13, 1989. He currently holds a Standard Oregon Teaching License with Standard
22 Health Education and Basic Physical Education Endorsements valid until March 22,
23 2002. There were no prior complaints in the TSPC Licensure file regarding Mr. Hitchen.
24 2. Mr. Hitchen was employed by St. Helelns School District as a seventh and

t ‘25 eighth grade PE teacher beginning in September of 1992 until resignation effective
Page 1 STIPULATION OF FACTS AND ORDER OF REPRIMAND

' 1 November 10, 2000. There were no complaints regarding Mr. Hitchen’s performance as
2 classroom teacher prior to October 10, 2000. Mr. Hitchen received very positive
3 evaluations during his employment with St. Helens School District.
4 3. Mr. Hitchen admits that on October 10, 2000. he picked up a male eighth
5 grade student, placed him in a cradle hold, and placed him back down on the floor. Mr.
6 Hitchen’s objective was to redirect the student's disruptive behavior.
7 4. Although, Mr. Hitchen did not intend to humiliate the student or cause injury
8 Mr. Hitchen acknowledges that his behavior was inappropriate, may have embarrassed
9 the student in front of classmates and may have caused discomfort.
10 5. Shortly after the incident Mr. Hitchen sought counseling with Chuck Raye,
11 LCSW. Mr. Hitchen participated in 8 counseling sessions over a two month period.
. 12 6. Mr. Hitchen accepts responsibility for his behavior and acknowledges his
13 behavior was inappropriate in that he failed to demonstrate a commitment to use
14 professional judgment during this incident on October 10, 2000.
15 This stipulation is contingent upon approval and adoption of the Order by the
16 Commission. If the Commission does not adopt this Order, neither Mr. Hitchen nor the
17 Commission are bound by these Stipulations and Mr. Hitchen retains all rights to a
18 hearing on the allegations.
19 IT IS SO STIPULATED:
20
21 ZM 4441/55 4/‘ 25‘- 0/
22 PaufichenR / Date
23 , ' / // t k
24 W/M Z/ ' iZ/ifgr/
' 25 David V. Myton Executi e Director . . Date '
26 Teacher Standards and Practices Commissmn
Page 2 STIPULATION OF FACTS AND ORDER OF REPRIMAND

. 1 CONCLUSION OF LAW
2 Mr. Hitchen failed to demonstrate a commitment to use professional judgment on
3 October 10, 2000, when he picked up a male eighth grade student in and placed him in
4 a cradle in the gymnasium of St Helen's Middle School.
5 ORDER
6 The Commission imposes a Public Reprimand on Mr. Hitchen. This Stipulation
7 of Facts and Order constitutes the Reprimand.
1\/

8 Dated this H day of May 2001
9 TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION

1O

11 By: 2Q&:i é @214“,

12 David V. Myton, Exe utive Director

'13 Approved as to form:

14

15 7L A ' 0

16 Margare Olney, OSB #88135

17 Attorney for Paul Hitchen

I
Page 3 STIPULATION OF FACTS AND ORDER OF REPRIMAND