_ ‘ ., 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 ) FINAL ORDER OF SURRENDER, AND 5 NEIL MARTIN ABRAHAMS ) ORDER OF REVOCATION 6 On or about January 4, 2006, the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission . 7 (Commission) received information from the Inspector Generals Office of the Texas Department 8 of Criminal Justice concerning materials which Neil Abrahams sent to an inmate. 9 After a review of the matters alleged, Mr. Abrahams and the Commission agree that their 10 respective interests, together with the public interest, are best served by a stipulation to certain 11 facts including the renunciation and surrender of his teaching license pursuant to OAR 584—050- 12 0027. Mr. Abrahams agrees that the Commission has the authority to investigate the 13 allegations against him, make findings of fact and conclusions of law. He does not agree that 14 the evidence supports all of the Commission's findings and conclusions ‘of law. Nonetheless, t 15 Mr. Abrahams understands that the Commission will rely upon these findings to revoke his 16 license and waives his right to appeal the revocation of his license. 17 This document sets forth the facts upon which the parties have agreed and the 18 stipulated sanction to be imposed. Mr. Abrahams stipulates that the TSPC has the statutory 19 authority to rely upon these facts to support this order and he will not contest this order. 2O By signing below, Mr. Abrahams acknowledges, understands, stipulates, and agrees to 21 the following: (i) he has been fully advised of his rights to notice and a hearing to contest the 22 findings of fact, conclusions of law, and order set forth below, and fully and finally waives all 23 such rights and any rights to appeal or otherwise challenge this Stipulation of Facts, Final Order 24 of Surrender and Suspension (Stipulation and Final Order); (ii) this Stipulation and Final Order is 25 a public document and disclosed to the public upon request by the Commission; (iii) this 26 Stipulation and Final Order is contingent upon and subject to approval and adoption by the 27 Commission. If the Commission does not approve and adopt this Stipulation and Final Order, Page 1 STIPULATION OF FACTS, FINAL ORDER 0F SURRENDER, AND ORDER OF REVOCATION - ABRAHAMS a ‘ ‘ 1 then neither Mr. Abrahams nor the Commission are bound by the terms herein; (iv) he has fully 2 read this Stipulation and Final Order, and understands it completely; (v) he voluntarily enters 3 into this Stipulation and Final Order and consents to issuance and entry of the Stipulated Final . 4 Order below; (vi) he has consulted with an attorney regarding this Stipulation and Final Order 5 and has been fully advised with regard to his rights thereto, or waives any and all rights to 6 consult with an attorney prior to entering into this Stipulation and Final Order and issuance and 7 entry of the Stipulated Final Order below. 8 STIPULATION 0F FACTS l 9 1. The Commission has licensed Mr. Abrahams since November 24, 2000. Mr. j 1O Abrahams holds a Substitute Teaching License issued May 12, 2004, valid through June 24, ‘ 11 2007. ‘ 12 2. Mr. Abrahams teaches for Portland Public Schools, Reynolds SD, 13 Multnomah/Fairview, and North Clackamas schools. 14 3. On January 4, 2006, TSPC received a report from the Human Resources Counsel, 15 Portland Public Schools, concerning a report from the Texas Department of Justice that 16 Abrahams was sending materials to an inmate. 17 4. On September 13, 2006, TSPC Interviewed Abrahams. During the course of the 18 interview Abrahams made several admissions that led TSPC to take action. He admitted that 19 he had fallen in love with a male student during a prior teaching assignment and that he 20 remained in the teaching profession due in part to his attraction to children. Abrahams also 21 failed to appreciate the potential professional problems raised by the materials contained in his 22 correspondence regarding the North American Man Boy Love Association program. 23 5, There is no evidence that Abrahams acted sexually or otherwise inappropriately 24 towards any students in his professional capacity as a teacher. 25 26 Page 2 STIPULATION OF FACTS, FINAL ORDER OF SURRENDER, AND ORDER OF REVOCATION - ABRAHAMS 1 IT IS SO STIPULATED AND AGREED TO: 2 / 3 02% Z2: a, 1 , = Q»? '77? 0 7 4 Neil Martin Abrahams Date g 2 A 04,01 7 Victoria C - - 7w, Executive Director Date 8 Teacher Standards and Practices Commission 9 CONCLUSION OF LAW 10 ' On September 13, 2006, Neil Martin Abrahams, during his interview with TSPC, 11 admitted to, among other things, sending materials to convicted inmates concerning the North ‘ 12 American Man Boy Love Association; inappropriate feelings toward a male student; and 13 remaining in the teaching profession due to his attraction to children. These and other 14 admissions constitute Gross Unfitness in violation of OAR 584-020-0040(5). Gross unfitness is 15 any conduct which renders an educator unqualified to perform his or her professional 16 responsibilities. The Commission has the authority to impose discipline in this matter under 17 ORS 342.120 through 342.430 and OAR Chapter 584. 1 8 / / / 1 9 / / l 2_0 /// I Page 3 STIPULATION OF FACTS, FINAL ORDER OF SURRENDER, AND ORDER OF REVOCATION - ABRAHAMS 1 FINAL ORDER 2 The Commission adopts and incorporates herein the above findings of fact and 3 conclusions of law, and hereby accepts the renunciation of Mr. Abrahams’ Substitute Teaching 4 License and hereby revokes said license issued to Neil Martin Abrahams. 77L 5 Issued and dated this é day of August, 2007. 6 TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION 7 STATE OF OREGON 8 9 By: M 10 Victoria Chamber ain, Executive Director Page 4 STIPULATION OF FACTS, FINAL ORDER OF SURRENDER, AND ORDER OF REVOCATION - ABRAHAMS