If you’re a Texas teacher, you are subject to the rules set by the State Board for Educator Certification, a subsidiary of the Texas Education Agency. This Board is charged with licensing teachers and maintaining the standards of teachers who work for the state of Texas. The citizens of Texas are beholden to teachers, who provide the educations that later make our work-lives possible, as well as setting in place the classroom structure that makes our children productive and safe from day-to-day. Ask any successful Texan, and they will be able to mention a teacher who has had a profound effect on their life.
But even good teachers are sometimes subjected to formal complaints before the Board. According to the Board, the purposes for disciplinary action are to:
“(1) protect the safety and welfare of Texas schoolchildren and school personnel;
(2) ensure educators and applicants are morally fit and worthy to instruct or to
supervise the youth of the state; and
(3) fairly and efficiently resolve educator disciplinary proceedings.”
Formal complaints can lead to disciplinary action and even revocation of a teacher’s license.
The sorts of conduct that the Board is likely to take disciplinary action for include:
“-School or educational activities in violation of law;
– Inappropriate communication with students;
– Inappropriate relationships with students;
-An educator who is unworthy to instruct or supervise the youth of the state;
-Code of Ethics violations;
-Failure to report or hindering the reporting of child abuse or the known criminal history of an educator as required by law and Board rules;
-Contract abandonment;
-Failure to cooperate with a Board investigation;
-Conviction of a crime directly related to the duties and responsibilities of the education profession or
-Violation of the security or integrity of a state assessment.”
When the Board receives a formal complaint, it determines whether it has jurisdiction over the contents of the complaint, then begins an investigation into the validity of the allegations. As soon as you are alerted to the existence of a complaint, you should call a professional license defense attorney to help with your defense. The earlier we are brought in, the more influence we may have on the shape of the investigation to come and craft an effective and dynamic defense.
Contact a Texas teacher professional license defense attorney today
So if you’re a teacher who has received notice of a complaint, contact a professional license defense attorney as quickly as possible. BERTOLINO LLP proudly represents those fighting threats to their licenses or for licensure reinstatement across the entire State of Texas, and we have a solid track record of success. To best serve our clients, we have offices in Austin, Houston, and San Antonio. Contact us today or call (512) 476-5757 and schedule a case evaluation.
Call or text (512) 476-5757 or complete a Case Evaluation form
