f’ 1 BEFORE THE TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION
2 OF THE STATE OF OREGON
3
4 In the Matter of the ) STIPULATION OF FACTS,
5 Teaching License of ) ORDER OF REPRIMAND
g MICHAEL AMES CONNOR g AND PROBATION
8 .
9 On or about May 19, 2000, the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission
10 (Commission) received a report from Benjamin Canada, Superintendent, Portland
11 Public Schools indicating that the Michael Connor resigned during an investigation. The
12 records indicate that the District received a parent complaint alleging that Michael
l 13 Connor took pictures of their daughter, took students off campus to lunch without parent
I I ‘I4 consent and engaged in inappropriate horseplay with students.
15 Mr. Connor fully cooperated with the Commission’s investigation. After review of
16 the matters alleged, Mr. Connor and the Commission agree that their respective
17 interests, together with the public interest, are best served by a stipulation to certain
18 facts and the imposition of a Public Reprimand, followed by a period of probation of one
19 (1) year. This Order sets forth the facts upon which the parties have agreed and the
20 sanction to be imposed. In entering into this stipulation, Mr. Connor waives the right to
21 a hearing to contest the findings of fact, conclusion of law and order set forth below.
22 Mr. Connor understands that the probation with be subject to specific conditions.
23 / //
24 ///
Page 1 STIPULATION OF FACTS, ORDER OF REPRIMAND AND PROBATION

. 1 STIPULATION OF FACTS
2 1. Mr. Connor holds a Basic Oregon Teaching License with Standard Social
3 Studies and Basic Reading Endorsements valid until January 9, 2002. He was
4 employed by Portland Public Schools as a teacher at Portsmouth Middle School
5 beginning in September of 1998 until resignation effective April 24, 2000.
6 2. Mr. Connor had no prior public school teaching experience.
7 3. Mr. Connor took an excessive number of photographs of the same female
8 student. The student reported that this made her feel uncomfortable.
9 4. Mr. Connor engaged in inappropriate horseplay with students in the
10 classroom: picking female students up in both arms, spinning them around; tickling; and
11 writing on them with magic markers.
'12 5. Mr. Connor took students off campus to lunch without parental permission or
1., checking them out at the office.
14 6. Upon resignation of his teaching position with Portland Public Schools Mr.
15 Connor sought counseling and mentoring with his former professor Ken Peterson at
16 Portland State University.
17 7. Mr. Connor is currently substitute teaching at North Clackamas School
18 District.
19 8. Mr. Connor accepts responsibility for his behavior and acknowledges his
20 behavior was inappropriate in that he failed to maintain appropriate professional
21 boundaries with students.
22 This stipulation is contingent upon approval and adoption of the Order by the
'23 Commission. If the Commission does not adopt this Order, neither Mr. Connor nor the
Page 2 STIPULATION OF FACTS, ORDER OF REPRIMAND AND PROBATION

’ 1 Commission are bound by these Stipulations and Mr. Connor retains all rights to a
2 hearing on the allegations. '
3 IT IS SO STIPULATED:
4
5 ‘ff 72 g‘ 2 1/1‘ [a l
6 Michael Connor Date
7 l
8 QM @k 7/ / 1’! 0/
9 David V. Myton Exec ive Director Date
1O Teacher Standards and Practices Commission
11 CONCLUSION OF LAW
12 Mr. Connor failed to demonstrate a commitment to use professional judgment
13 when he took students off campus to lunch without parent permission and without
'14 building checkout in violation of OAR 584-020-0010(5). Mr. Connor failed to
15 demonstrate a commitment to use professional judgment when engaged in
16 inappropriate horseplay with students in violation of OAR 584-020-0010(5).
17 ORDER
18 The Commission imposes a Public Reprimand on Mr. Connor. This Stipulation of
19 Facts, Order and Probation constitutes the Reprimand. Furthermore, the Commission
20 imposes a one (1) year probation upon Mr. Connor subject to the following conditions:
21 1. Mr. Connor shall at his own expense, participate in an intensive education
22 program regarding appropriate boundaries with students conducted by a qualified
23 trainer approved advance by the Commission. This intensive training shall consist of, at
24 least, five (5) one and one-half (1 1/1) hour sessions. The Commission will provide the
O
Page 3 STIPULATION OF FACTS, ORDER OF REPRIMAND AND PROBATION

' 1 trainer with a copy of this Order on February 16, 2001. The program trainer will provide
2 the Commission with a report of successful program completion.
3 2. Mr. Connor shall comply with all Standards for Competent and Ethical
4 Performance under Chapter OAR 584, Division 020.
5 3. Violation of the terms of this probation may constitute an independent basis
6 for the Commission to impose discipline, up to and including revocation of Mr. Connor's
7 teaching license subject Mr. Connor's right to a hearing on the issue of whether he
8 violated probation.
7 f‘
9 Dated this day of March 2001
1O TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION
11
.12 By: '
13 David V. Myton, Exec tive Director
14 Approved as to form:
/ i ' " . "
I‘ 1/ D , / a‘
16 s g /' Una/MW
17 A rianne Nelson, GSB #96098
18 Attorney for Michael Connor
Page 4 STIPULATION OF FACTS, ORDER OF REPRIMAND AND PROBATION