BoEE Quarterly Newsletter - February 2022
In this issue: Frequently Asked Questions, Processing Times, Renewal Credit Providers and Renewal Credit Options, Substitute Teachers, Ethics Spotlight, and Recent Cases.
Although most applications are processed more quickly, applications may take up to 4-6 weeks to process. You can check the status of an application by logging into your account. A status of "Pending Internal Review" means that your application has been submitted.
You may need to apply for an extension if you cannot submit your application 4-6 weeks in advance of your expiration date.
First time applicants are required to submit fingerprints as part of the application process. Your application is not considered complete until we have received all required materials including your completed fingerprint cards.
Iowa's approved renewal credit providers and colleges have worked tirelessly to provide quality, meaningful, and relevant courses for educators with a variety of delivery options, including face-to-face, online, and self-paced.
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Iowa AEAs offer numerous renewal courses annually in a broad variety of subject areas. Check with any AEA to view catalog courses which may be face-to-face or online. There is also a statewide AEA Learning Online resource for additional courses. AEAs can also assist districts to create their own site-based courses. |
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PEI offers renewal courses for both members and non-members, with a wide range of topics including literacy and educator ethics. |
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The Iowa Safe Schools Academy offers a large catalog of relevant courses that center around student safety, mental health, marginalized communities, and school climate and culture. |
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MISIC offers renewal credits focused on curriculum and instruction, and also uses micro-credentials. |
Other renewal credit options include the following:
For educators currently serving in an Iowa school district, 1/2 of your renewal credits per renewal cycle may be earned through verification of the successful completion of an individualized professional development plan as verified by the supervising licensed evaluator.
If you served as a cooperating teacher, you will need to get an official certificate from the college showing how many credits were earned (maximum of 2).
Educators who participate in a micro-externship will be able to earn one renewal credit per experience (40 hour placement).
License types approved for full substitute teaching (up to 90 days in one assignment):
- Initial, standard, master educator, permanent professional, or exchange licenses
- Professional administrator license
- Professional service license
- Full career and technical authorization
- Full native language teaching authorization
- Substitute license
Substitute authorization: limited to 10 days in a row in a 30 day period.
The degree requirement to obtain a substitute authorization has been changed from a bachelor’s degree to an associate’s degree or 60 semester hours through a college or university accredited through an institutional accrediting agency approved by the U.S. Department of Education. The substitute authorization course is still required.
Paraeducators who hold a paraeducator certificate with the limited substitute authorization may serve as a substitute in any classroom except driver’s education as per the most recent governor's proclamation.
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Scenario 1: A teacher has a Facebook page and is friends with some of her students and or parents.
- Your friend posts a photo of her having a glass of wine at her bachelorette party.
While this seems innocent, this actually happened and the teacher was fired for what she put out there.
Violation of Standard: 25.3(6)(c) Unethical practice toward other members of the profession, parents, students or the community – c) failing to make reasonable efforts to protect the health and safety of the student or creating conditions harmful to student learning.
- The next week she posts a photo of her on her honeymoon in her bikini on the beach.
Again, another innocent post – but someone in the district didn’t think so. The teacher got in trouble for an inappropriate post. Consider how a parent would feel if their student saw their teacher with very little clothing on?
Violation of Standard: 25.3(6)(c) Unethical practice toward other members of the profession, parents, students or the community – c) failing to make reasonable efforts to protect the health and safety of the student or creating conditions harmful to student learning.
- When she returns back to work she posts a photo of one of her students who is working on a project in her class.
In this case, the teacher is posting a photo of her student who is working hard in class. However, this post could be a violation of FERPA(Privacy). It could also appear to some that the teacher is singling out a student on their page.
Violation of Standard: 25.3(6)(h) & (m) Unethical practice toward other members of the profession, parents, students or the community – h) Intentionally disclosing confidential information; (m) failing to comply with federal, state, or local laws.
- The two take a selfie together and another student joins in – the students posts the photo on their Facebook page.
Again, while seemingly innocent. This can raise questions of professionalism for the teacher.
Violation of Standard: 25.3(1)(e)(4) Soliciting, encouraging, or consummating a romantic or otherwise inappropriate relationship with a student; Mandatory Reporting
Violation of Standard: 25.3(6)(h) & (m) Unethical practice toward other members of the profession, parents, students or the community – h) Intentionally disclosing confidential information; (m) failing to comply with federal, state, or local laws.
- At the end of the week she posted “I sure need a drink (or five) after this week. The kids have been absolutely insane.”
These are those comments you make they just sound like a good idea at the time, but come back to bite you. It is your personal Facebook page after all…. Right?
Violation of Standard: 25.3(6)(d) Unethical practice toward other members of the profession, parents, students or the community – d) conducting professional business in such a way that the practitioner repeatedly exposes students or other practitioners to unnecessary embarrassment or disparagement.
Scenario 2: Instagram
- An elementary teacher friends a student on Instagram after a student begs her. She starts chatting with the student. The teacher calls the students “sweetie,” “sweetheart,” “goof,” “goofball.” The teacher comments on the student’s photos calling the child “cute” and “adorable.”
Even if you want to form relationships with your students, you can and should do that at school, during school time, and during class. Not online. Your innocent comments may not seem so innocent to a parent.
Violation of Standard: 25.3(1)(e)(4) Soliciting, encouraging, or consummating a romantic or otherwise inappropriate relationship with a student; Mandatory Reporting
Scenario 3: Snapchat
- A high school teacher and coach friends several students on the football team on snapchat. A teacher posts photo of her kissing her husband on snapchat. It was not clear if the post was intended or accidental, however her students received the snap.
The students saw the post and so did their parents – they were not amused with the PDA their students witnessed.
Violation of Standard: 25.3(6)(c) Unethical practice toward other members of the profession, parents, students or the community – c) failing to make reasonable efforts to protect the health and safety of the student or creating conditions harmful to student learning.
What could you do next time?
AVOID social media with your students and keep your circle of friends close.
If you have any questions about this legal dilemma or professional ethics you many contact Nicole Proesch at 515-242-6506 or Nicole.proesch@iowa.gov. However, if you need legal advice on a specific issue contact your district legal counsel.
Free Speech and the InternetFacebook FiredSocial Networking and Teacher MisconductFacebook Speech: Protected or Not?
Lane, Frederick. (2015) Cybertraps for Educators. Frederick Lane (self-published).www.fredericklane.com – Cypertraps Blog
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Click here to review the Iowa Code of Professional Conduct to eliminate uncertainty and to prevent future complaints.
18-202 - The Respondent was charged with soliciting, encouraging, or consummating a romantic or otherwise inappropriate relationship with a student by sending inappropriate text messages, snapchat, and having inappropriate contact with a student. The Respondent received a written reprimand, a suspension of his license for five years, and was ordered to have a mental health evaluation.
20-136 - Voluntary surrender of his license.
21-33 - The Respondent admits that she filed a report with the Iowa Department of Human Services which contained falsified data regarding staff’s completion of background checks and training modules for DHS licensure purposes. The Respondent received a written reprimand and agreed to complete 15 in person contact hours of ethics for educators.
21-37 - The Respondent admitted having inappropriate conversations with a student about sexual activity, alcohol, and hangovers during practice. The Respondent received a written reprimand, a suspension of his license for Sixty (60) days, and complete 15 in person contact hours of ethics for educators.
21-50 - The Respondent admitted that he inappropriately hit a female student with a screwdriver after commenting on her pants pockets. The student also reported inappropriate physical behaviors and comments by the Respondent. The Respondent received a written reprimand, a suspension of his license for a minimum of one (1) year, complete 15 in person contact hours of ethics for educators, undergo a mental health evaluation and comply with recommendations.
21-58 - The Respondent does not admit the allegations of creating a hostile work environment and conditions harmful to student learning, but acknowledges that the allegations if proven would constitute grounds for the agreed discipline. The Respondent received a written reprimand, a suspension of her license for a minimum of one (1) year, complete 15 in person contact hours of ethics for educators, undergo a mental health evaluation and comply with recommendations.
21-73 - The Respondent admits consuming alcohol the morning before school and being under the influence of alcohol at school. The Respondent received a written reprimand, a suspension of her license for a minimum of one (1) year, complete 15 in person contact hours of ethics for educators, undergo a substance abuse evaluation and any recommended treatment, and undergo a mental health evaluation and comply with recommendations.
21-83 - The Respondent admits consuming alcohol and being under the influence of alcohol at school. The Respondent received a written reprimand, a suspension of her license for a minimum of one (1) year, complete 15 in person contact hours of ethics for educators, undergo a substance abuse evaluation and any recommended treatment, and undergo a mental health evaluation and comply with recommendations.
21-88 - The Respondent admits two students had business reviews posted under their names on his website after the Respondent accessed their phones during the first driving lesson. The Respondent received a written reprimand, complete 15 in person contact hours of ethics for educators, and to remove disputed reviews from his website.
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