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PAM STEWART, AS COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION vs MARTHA CANNON, 15-001890PL (2015)

Court: Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Number: 15-001890PL Visitors: 39
Petitioner: PAM STEWART, AS COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION
Respondent: MARTHA CANNON
Judges: J. LAWRENCE JOHNSTON
Agency: Department of Education
Locations: Clearwater, Florida
Filed: Apr. 08, 2015
Status: Closed
Settled and/or Dismissed prior to entry of RO/FO on Monday, May 18, 2015.

Latest Update: Dec. 24, 2024
STATE OF FLORIDA EDUCATION PRACTICES COMMISSION PAM STEWART, as Commissioner of Education, Petitioner, vs. CASE NO, 123-2557 MARTHA DIANE CANNON, Respondent, / ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT Petitioner, Pam Stewart, as Commissioner of Education, files this Administrative Complaint against MARTHA DIANE CANNON. The Petitioner seeks the appropriate disciplinary sanction of the Respondent’s educator’s certificate pursuant to Sections 1012.315, 1012.795, and 1012.796, Florida Statutes, and pursuant to Rule 6A-10.081, Florida Administrative Code, Principles of Professional Conduct for the Education Profession in Florida, said sanctions specifically set forth in Sections 1012.795(1) and 1012.796(7), Florida Statutes, The Petitioner alleges: JURISDICTION 1, The Respondent holds Florida Educator’s Certificate 625458, covering the areas of Computer Science and Mathematics, which is valid through June 30, 2016. 2. At all times pertinent hereto, the Respondent was employed as a Math Teacher at East Lake High School in the Pinellas County School District. MATERIAL ALLEGATIONS 3. On or about January 8, 2013, Respondent falsely accused, in front of their classmates, $.L. and M.T., both male, high school students, of having a key to Respondent's classroom and using it to steal property from the classroom. 4, On or about January 9, 2013, Respondent bullied and intimidated J.T., a female, high school student, in front of J.T.’s classmates, by yelling at J.T., calling J.T. a Har and threatening to kick J.T. out of Respondent’s class, when J.T. politely attempted to resolve a disagreement about missing make-up work. MARTHA DIANE CANNON Administrative Complaint Page 2 of 3 5, On or about January 10, 2013, Respondent improperly questioned female, high school students, L.Z. and T.R. about an ongoing internal investigation involving Respondent, 6. On or about January 16, 2013, Respondent’s principal reported Respondent to the District for misconduct and failure to correct performance deficiencies. 7. On or about January 22, 2013, Respondent filed an unfounded bullying complaint with the District against her principal and two assistant principals in retaliation for the principal’s report to the District. 8. On or about August 1, 2013, Respondent resigned in lieu of termination from her teaching position with the District. The Petitioner charges: STATUTE VIOLATIONS COUNT 1: — The Respondent is in violation of Section 1012.795(1)(g), Florida Statutes, in that Respondent has been found guilty of personal conduct which seriously reduces effectiveness as an employee of the school board. COUNT 2: The Respondent is in violation of Section 1012.795(1)@), Florida Statutes, in that Respondent has violated the Principles of Professional Conduct for the Education Profession prescribed by State Board of Education rules. RULE VIOLATIONS COUNT 3: The allegations of misconduct set forth herein are in violation of Rule 6A- 10.081(3)(a), Plorida Administrative Code, in that Respondent has failed to make reasonable effort to protect the student from conditions harmful to learning and/or to the student’s mental health and/or physical health and/or safety. COUNT 4: The allegations of misconduct set forth herein are in violation of Rule 6A- 10.081(3)(e), Florida Administrative Code, in that Respondent has intentionally exposed a student to unnecessary embarrassment or disparagement. COUNT 5: The allegations of misconduct set forth herein are in violation of Rule 6A- 10.081(5)(a), Florida Administrative Code, in that Respondent has failed to maintain honesty in all professional dealings. COUNT 6: The allegations of misconduct set forth herein are in violation of Rule 6A- 10.081(5)(e), Florida Administrative Code, in that Respondent has made malicious or intentionally false statements about a colleague. (SIGNATURE ON FOLLOWING PAGE} MARTHA DIANE CANNON Administrative Complaint Page 3 of 3 WHEREFORE, based on the reasons set forth herein and in accordance with the Explanation of Rights and Election of Rights forms attached to and made a part of this Administrative Complaint, Petitioner respectfully recommends that the Education Practices Commission impose an appropriate sanction against the Respondent’s educator’s certificate pursuant to the authority provided in Sections 1012.795(1) and 1012.796(7), Florida Statutes, The sanctions imposed by the Education Practices Commission may include, but are not limited to, any one or a combination of the following: issuing the Respondent a written reprimand; placing the Respondent on probation for any period of time; restricting the Respondent’s authorized scope of practice; assessing the Respondent an administrative fine; directing the Respondent to enroll in the Recovery Network Program; suspending the Respondent’s educator's certificate for a period of time not to exceed five years; revoking the Respondent’s educator’s certificate for a period of time up to 10 years or permanently; determining the Respondent to be ineligible for certification; or barring the Respondent from reapplying for an educator’s certificate for a period of time up to 10 years or permanently, EXECUTED on this, 22 day of February, , 2015. Ly beereh PAM STEWART, as Commissioner of Education State of Florida

Docket for Case No: 15-001890PL
Source:  Florida - Division of Administrative Hearings

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