BoEE Newsletter - December 2022
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In this issue:
- Mandatory Reporter Requirements
- Renewal Credit Options
- Student Teachers as Substitutes
- BOEE code of conduct
- Recent Cases
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Do I need to complete trainings for both child and dependent adult abuse?
- Yes - the updated trainings are now separate, two hours each, and both child AND dependent adult abuse trainings must be completed.
Is my mandatory reporter training still valid?
- Check the completion date. Training completed before July 1, 2019 is valid for five years, and training completed on or after July 1, 2019 is valid for three years.
Can I complete the refresher course instead?
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We can only accept the one-hour refresher trainings IF:
- you have previously taken these NEW, SEPARATE two-hour trainings EACH, completed after July 1, 2019,
- AND you did not let the new trainings expire,
- AND you upload ALL certificates completed after 2019 to show this.
It is easier to complete the two-hour trainings as these are always accepted.
Where can I complete the trainings?
Mandatory reporter trainings for child and dependent adult abuse through DHS
Or
Mandatory reporter trainings for child and dependent adult abuse through the AEA
- You may apply to renew your license one year in advance of the expiration date without losing any time on your new license.
- Teachers and administrators may use one completed Individualized Professional Development Plan for up to 1/2 of the required renewal credits per renewal cycle.
- You may obtain a certificate from an Iowa college showing renewal credits earned for serving as a cooperating teacher for practicum students and student teachers for up to two credits per renewal cycle.
- You may earn up to one credit for each business microexternship completed. Click here to view the micro-externship renewal credit form.
- You will use our new online system to apply for a new license or to renew your license, and we even accept clear pictures of transcripts taken from a smartphone.
- View all standard/master renewal credit options here.
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Student teachers with a substitute authorization can substitute only for their assigned cooperating teacher, in their assigned classroom. Substitution must be on a short term, emergency basis.
College/university programs, using Department guidance, have established their policies on expectations and limits to substitute teaching. When a student teacher serves as the teacher of record, he/she is no longer student teaching, but is serving as a substitute. In this case, the person must be paid as a substitute. This payment guidance also applies if the cooperating teacher is pulled to substitute in another classroom requiring the student teacher to substitute for the cooperating teacher.
The student teacher will have to make up missed days of student-teaching.
As an educator, one of the worst things that can happen is to have someone file a complaint against you with the Board of Educational Examiners alleging that you have violated the Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics for Educators. For some of you, this may never happen. For others, it may happen more than once. We hope you will never have a complaint and with that in mind here are a few recommendations on things you can do to keep yourself out of trouble.
- Maintain appropriate relationships and boundaries with students and staff. This includes appropriate physical boundaries (minimal touch), emotional boundaries (you are the teacher, not a counselor, parent, or friend), and social media boundaries (stay off social media & texting with students) (Standard I).
- Do not bring or use alcohol or controlled substances on school grounds or at a school-sponsored event. This includes bringing alcohol to school as a gift for other staff members - while this may be a nice gesture this is a technical violation. This also includes having a drink before the big game or having a drink at lunch and returning to school. (Standard II).
- Do not falsify or misrepresent information about yourself, your students, or staff. This includes information on a job application, on an IEP, in a grade book, or relative to a student's test answers and scores. (Standard III).
- If you handle district property or funds, ensure you are properly handling and accounting for the property or funds. Do not use for your personal use, commingle funds with your funds, or ask for fraudulent reimbursements. (Standard IV).
- Make sure you understand your teaching contract and the terms of your contract. If you know you will not be returning, provide advanced notice and do not sign a new contract with your old district. If you have to resign after signing a contract, make sure to resign before June 30. (Standard V).
- Make sure to treat students, staff, administrators, and parents respectfully and refrain from discrimination. This includes respecting varying points of view of students and staff and not pushing your views. This also includes keeping student information confidential. (Standard VI).
- Pay your legal obligations including taxes, and child support, and make sure to comply with other orders. (Standard VII).
- Keep up with your professional development and maintain professional competence by keeping up with minimum standards of acceptable and prevailing educational practices in Iowa. (Standard VIII).
While this is not an exhaustive list of things to do or avoid, it is the nuts and bolts to keep you on the right track. Thank you for the work you do.
If you need legal advice, contact your district attorney or union. If you have any questions about the ethical standards you may contact Nicole Proesch at Nicole.Proesch@iowa.gov or call 515-242-6506.
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22-46 The respondent was charged with falsifying or deliberately misrepresenting or omitting material information, failure to comply with federal, state, or local law, and incompetence. The respondent received a public reprimand, a one-year suspension of her license, a directive to complete a 15-hour Ethics for Educators course, completion of a course in special education, and a directive to undergo a mental health evaluation and follow treatment recommendations.
22-63 The respondent was charged with abandoning a written employment contract without prior unconditional release by the employer. The Respondent received a six-month suspension of his license.
21-10 & 21-11 The respondent was charged with failing to make a reasonable effort to protect the health and safety of a student and conducting professional business in such a way that the practitioner repeatedly exposes students and other practitioners to unnecessary embarrassment or disparagement. The respondent received a written reprimand and a directive to complete a 15-hour Ethics for Educators course.
20-138 The respondent was charged with falsifying or deliberately misrepresenting or omitting material information, failure to comply with federal, state, or local law, and incompetence. The respondent received a public reprimand and a directive to complete a 15-hour Ethics for Educators course.
21-82 The respondent was charged with falsifying or deliberately misrepresenting or omitting material information regarding evaluations of students or personnel. The respondent received a written reprimand and a directive to complete a 15-hour Ethics for Educators course.
21-100 The respondent was charged with failing to protect the health and safety of the student or creating conditions harmful to student learning and various other charges. The respondent received a written reprimand, a six-month deferred license suspension, a directive to complete a 15-hour Ethics for Educators course, a directive to complete a course on recognizing and reporting child abuse, and a directive for a mental health evaluation including an assessment of ability to establish and maintain appropriate boundaries.
21-105 The respondent was charged with Failing to protect the health and safety of the student or creating conditions harmful to student learning and various other charges. The respondent received a public reprimand, a one-year license suspension, with all but 4 months deferred, a directive to complete a 15-hour Ethics for Educators course, and a directive for a mental health evaluation.
21-116 & 21-123 The respondent was charged with engaging in inappropriate conversations with students and the respondent was convicted of assault causing bodily injury or mental illness, a serious misdemeanor, and sentenced to two years of probation, required to complete sex offender treatment, and prohibited from having a firearm.
21-143 The respondent was charged with falsifying or deliberately misrepresenting or omitting material information regarding evaluations of students or personnel. The respondent received a written reprimand, a directive to complete a 15-hour Ethics for Educators course, and to successfully complete a course in special education law.
22-15 The respondent filed a voluntary surrender of his license with the board.
22-34 The respondent was charged with failing to comply with federal, state, and local laws applicable to the fulfillment of professional obligations. The respondent shall complete a 15-hour Ethics for Educators course and to successfully complete a course in seclusion and restraint requirements for educators.
22-42 The respondent was charged with falsifying or deliberately misrepresenting or omitting material information regarding compliance reports submitted to federal, state, and other governmental agencies, with falsifying or deliberately misrepresenting or omitting material information regarding evaluations of students or personnel, with failing to comply with federal, state, and local laws applicable to the fulfillment of professional obligations, and with willfully or repeatedly departing from or failing to conform or the minimum standards of acceptable and prevailing educational practice in the state of Iowa. The respondent received a public reprimand, completion of a 15-hour Ethics for Educators course, and shall successfully complete a course in special education law.
22-95 The respondent was charged with abandoning a written employment contract without prior unconditional release by the employer. The respondent received a public reprimand.
22-96 The respondent was charged with abandoning a written employment contract without prior unconditional release by the employer. The respondent received a public reprimand.
22-97 The respondent was charged with abandoning a written employment contract without prior unconditional release by the employer. The respondent received a public reprimand.
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