1 BEFORE THE TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION
2 OF THE STATE OF OREGON
3 In the Matter of the ) STIPULATION OF FACTS,
4 Teaching License of ) ORDER OF SUSPENSION
5 LINDA VALERIE WOLDEIT ) AND PROBATION
g )
8 On or about April 9, 2002, the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission
9 (Commission) received a report from Kathleen Hering, Human Resources Director of
10 Greater Albany Public School District indicating that Linda Valerie Woldeit (Woldeit)
11 failed to meet expectations regarding religious activities in the schools. The events
12 occurred at three middle schools between October 1999 and April 2002.
13 Ms. Woldeit fully cooperated with the Commission's investigation. After review of
i g 14 the matters alleged, Ms. Woldeit and the Commission agree that their respective
A 15 interests, together with the public interest, are best served by a stipulation to certain
16 facts and the imposition of six (6) month suspension of Ms. Woldeit’s Teaching License. i
17 The Commission will impose a period of four (4) years probation upon reinstatement of 3
18 her teaching license. This Order sets forth the facts upon which the parties have ‘
19 agreed and the sanction to be imposed. In entering into this stipulation, Ms. Woldeit ‘
20 waives the right to a hearing to contest the findings of fact, conclusion of law and order
21 set forth below. Ms. Woldeit understands that the probation and suspension will be
22 subject to specific conditions.
23 STIPULATION OF FACTS
24 1. Ms. Woldeit currently holds a Substitute Teaching License valid April 9, 1999,
. 25 through September 9, 2002, with Secondary and Art Endorsements.
Page 1-STIPULATION OF FACTS, ORDER OF SUSPENSION AND PROBATION - WOLDEIT

' 1 2. Ms. Woldeit was employed as a Substitute Teacher forthe Greater Albany
2 School District beginning April 11, 1999.
3 3. On or about October 22, 1999, Ms. Woldeit was excluded from Substitute
4 Teaching at North Albany Middle School for teaching Christian principles in the
5 classroom.
6 4. On or about February 5, 2002, Ms. Woldeit was asked not to use school
7 equipment to copy religious material at Calapooia Middle School.
8 5. On or about March 22, 2002, during a substitute assignment at Memorial
9 Middle School, Ms. Woldeit gave a student, EG (who suffers from Alopecia), a note
10 indicating that the Lord Jesus Christ has a healing for her, that hair would grow back
11 supernaturally. Ms. Woldeit told EG that God would perform this miracle and pledge to
' 12 shave her own head if EG’s hair was not restored by the end of spring break. On April 1,
13 2002, Ms. Woldeit contacted EG at school and gave her a bag full of hair accessories,
14 later in the clay, Ms. Woldeit spoke with EG in the parking lot with a shaved head and
15 told EG that she should keep her faith.
16 6. Ms. Woldeit accepts responsibility for exploiting her professional relationship
17 with EG t0 promote her own religious issues and acknowledges her behavior was
18 inappropriate based upon the Standards for Competent and Ethical Performance of
19 Oregon Educators.
20 Linda Valerie Woldeit enters into this Stipulation of Facts with the knowledge that
21 the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission will suspend her Oregon Teacher's
22 License for a period of six (6) months and upon reinstatement of the license shall place
. 23 her on probation for a period of four (4) years. This Stipulation is contingent upon
Page 2-STIPULATION OF FACTS, ORDER OF SUSPENSION AND PROBATION - WOLDEIT

. 1 approval and adoption of the Order by the full Commission. If the Commission does not
2 adopt this Order, neither Ms. Woldeit nor the Commission are bound by these
3 stipulations and Ms. Woldeit retains the right to a hearing on the allegations.
4 IT IS SO STIPULATED:
2% flailiflj j’; g-cv 2
7 , nda V erie Woldei Date
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11 Victoria Ch ber in, Executi - Director Date
12 Teacher Standards and Practices Commission
ii
15 CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
16 Linda Valerie Woldeit violated OAR 584-020-0035(1)(b) by exploiting her
. 17 professional relationship with a student in support of a personal issue at Memorial
18 Middle School. This misconduct constitutes Gross Neglect of Duty. The Commissions
19 authority to impose discipline in this matter is based upon ORS 342.175(1)(b).
20 ORDER
21 The Commission adopts the above Stipulation of Facts and suspends the
22 Oregon Teaching License of Linda Valerie Woldeit for a period of six (6) months
23 effective August 2, 2002. At the end of this suspension period, Ms. Woldeit’s Teaching
24 License shall be reinstated providing she meets the following conditions:
25 1. Submission of complete application as per OAR 584-050-0015(3) together
26 with required supporting documentation and fees;
27 2. Submission of documentation that she has completed (at her own expense),
' 28 an intensive education program regarding appropriate boundaries with students
Page 3-STIPULATION OF FACTS, ORDER 0F SUSPENSION AND PROBATION - WOLDEIT

. 1 conducted by a qualified trainer or counselor approved in advance by the Commission.
2 This intensive training shall consist of, at least, five (5) one and one-half (1 1/2) hour
3 sessions. Ms. Woldeit shall provide the trainer with a copy of this Order. The program
4 trainer shall provide the Commission with a report of successful program completion.
5 Upon reinstatement of her teaching license, Ms. Woldeit shall be placed on
6 probation for a period of four (4) years and subject to the condition that she comply with
7 all Standards for Competent and Ethical Performance under Chapter OAR 584, Division
8 020.
9 Violation of the terms of this probation may constitute an independent basis for
10 the Commission to impose discipline, up to and including revocation of Ms. Woldeit’s
11 teaching license subject to Ms. Woldeit’s right to a hearing on the issue of whether she
. 12 violated probajigg/
13 Dated this Lfiay of August, 2002.
14 TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION
15 <
1? By wgméz/n)
18 ictoria Cha ain, Executive Director [0724021
O
Page 4-STIPULATION OF FACTS, ORDER OF SUSPENSION AND PROBATION - WOLDEIT