BEFORE THE TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION
' OF THE STATE OF OREGON
In the Matter of the ]
Teaching License of ) DEFAULT ORDER
ELLEN M. IRISH ) REVOKING LICENSE
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On or about February l3, 1996. the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission
received information from the Rogue River School District, indicating that Ellen M.
Irish had entered a plea in U.S. District Court of guilty to the felony charge of
knowingly and intentionally maintaining a place for the purpose of manufacturing
methamphetamine. The Executive Secretary took action to notify Ms. Irish of intent to
revoke her Oregon Teaching license, and to inform her of an opportunity for hearing.
The notice, dated April 12, 1996, and signed by David V. Myton, Executive Secretary,
stated:

"You, Ellen M‘ Irish, are entitled to a hearing on the proposed revocation

of your Oregon Teaching license. If you desire a hearing, you must

notify the Executive Secretary of the Commission, in writing. within 21

days of the date of this notice."
The notice of opportunity for hearing was sent by U.S. Certified Mail, Return Receipt
Requested. The Return Receipt #P 196 850 998 was signed by Ms. Irish on April 16,
1996, and received by TSPC on April 17, 1996. Ms. Irish did not request a hearing.

FINDING OF FACT

1. On February 6. 1996, in United States District Court, Eugene. Oregon, Ellen M.

Irish entered a plea of guilty to the felony charge of knowingly and intentionally

maintaining a place for the purpose of manufacturing methamphetamine, a

Schedule II controlled substance in violation of federal law.

ULTIMATE FINDINGS OF FACT
Ellen M. Irish violated TSPC Standards for Competent and Ethical Performance of
Oregon Educators under 584-20-040I4)(o) by substantial deviation from professional
standards of ethics. Under 584-20-O40(5)(c) and (e) her conviction for violating federal
laws, and her admission of facts constituting criminal conduct are evidence of gross
unfitness to serve as an educator.
CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
Under ORS 342.175(1)(d] a conviction for violating any law of this or any state of the
United States involving the use. sale or possession of controlled substances is
grounds for revoking an educator's license.
-. PAGE 1-—DEFAULT ORDER--ELLEN M. IRISH

l
OPINION l
As an educator Irish had an obligation to respect and obey the law and exemplify
personal integrity and honesty. Her conduct bears a demonstrable relationship to her
ability to perform the duties of an educator. Schools and police agencies strive to
educate students on the dangers of use of controlled substances. Irish’s participation
in the manufacture of controlled substances was incongruous with her role as an
educator.
ORDER
The Commission revokes the Oregon Teaching License #242190, issued to Ellen M.
Irish,
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Dated this day of é U% , 1996.
TEACHER STANDARDS D PRACTICES COMMISSION
By:
David V. Myton. Executive Secretary
NOTICE OF APPEAL OR RIGHTS

‘i YOU ARE ENTITLED TO JUDICIAL REVIEW OF THIS ORDER. JUDICIAL REVIEW
MAY BE OBTAINED BY FILING A PETITION FOR REVIEW WITHIN 60 DAYS FROM
THE SERVICE OF THIS ORDER JUDICIAL REVIEW IS PURSUANT TO THE
PROVISIONS OF ORS 183.482 TO THE OREGON COURT OF APPEALS.
DVM/cs

i I PAGE 2—-DEFAULT ORDER--ELLEN M. IRISH

. CERTIFICATE OF MAILING
I hereby certify that I served the foregoing order by mailing a true copy thereof
certified by me as such by regular U.S. mail and by U.S. Certified Mail with Return
Receipt Requested to:
ELLEN M. IRISH
701 SOLDIER CREEK ROAD
G PASS OR 97526
Dated this 026p day of , 1996.
Ch lene A. Smith
Secretary to the Commission
’ PAGE 3—-DEFAULT ORDER-ELLEN M. IRISH