Petitioner: RICHARD CORCORAN, AS COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION
Respondent: WANDA WHITEHEAD
Judges: ELIZABETH W. MCARTHUR
Agency: Department of Education
Locations: Orlando, Florida
Filed: Apr. 30, 2021
Status: Set for Hearing by Zoom Conference.
Latest Update: Nov. 05, 2024
STATE OF FLORIDA
EDUCATION PRACTICES COMMISSION
RICHARD CORCORAN, as
Commissioner of Education,
Petitioner,
vs. CASE NO. 189-2112
WANDA WHITEHEAD,
Respondent.
ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT
Petitioner, Richard Corcoran, as Commissioner of Education, files this Administrative
Complaint against WANDA WHITEHEAD. 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 1032156, covering the areas
of Athletic Coaching, Educational Leadership, Elementary Education, English for Speakers of
Other Languages (ESOL), Prekindergarten/Primary Education and Reading, which is valid
through June 30, 2023.
2. At all times pertinent hereto, the Respondent was employed as a Reading Teacher
at Olympia High School in the Orange County School District.
MATERIAL ALLEGATIONS
3. During the 2018/2019 school year, while serving as assistant coach for the girls’
basketball team, Respondent failed to properly address conflicts between team members that led
to discord and confrontation of the players. On or about January 29, 2019, Respondent was
informed by a member of the team that there was discord between that player and several other
named members of the team. Respondent failed to address the issue. On or about J anuary 30, 2019,
Probable Cause Letter and Administrative Complaint.-2
WANDA WHITEHEAD
Administrative Complaint
Page 2 of 2
the player who reported discord to Respondent and at least one of the other players she named
became involved in a physical altercation on school grounds where punches were thrown.
The Petitioner charges:
STATUTE VIOLATIONS
COUNT 1: The Respondent is in violation of section 1012.795(1)(j), 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 2: The allegations of misconduct set forth herein are in violation of Rule 6A-
10.081(2)(a)1, Florida 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.
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 (4 day of _October , 2020.
Mili
RICHARD CORCORAN, as
Commissioner of Education
State of Florida
Probable Cause Letter and Administrative Complaint.-3
Docket for Case No: 21-001434PL
Issue Date |
Proceedings |
Aug. 12, 2021 |
Order Closing File and Relinquishing Jurisdiction. CASE CLOSED.
|
Aug. 12, 2021 |
Unopposed Motion to Close File and Relinquish Jurisdiction to the Education Practices Commission filed.
|
Aug. 03, 2021 |
Order Granting Continuance and Rescheduling Hearing by Zoom Conference (hearing set for October 7, 2021; 9:30 a.m., Eastern Time).
|
Aug. 02, 2021 |
Respondent's Second Motion to Continue (w/exhibits) filed.
|
Jul. 02, 2021 |
Certificate of Service of Respondent's Discovery Responses filed.
|
Jun. 01, 2021 |
Certificate of Service of Discovery filed.
|
May 17, 2021 |
Order Granting Continuance and Rescheduling Hearing by Zoom Conference (hearing set for August 17, 2021; 9:30 a.m., Eastern Time).
|
May 17, 2021 |
Motion to Continue filed.
|
May 04, 2021 |
Order of Pre-hearing Instructions.
|
May 04, 2021 |
Notice of Hearing by Zoom Conference (hearing set for June 17, 2021; 9:30 a.m., Eastern Time).
|
May 04, 2021 |
Agreed upon Response to Initial Order filed.
|
May 03, 2021 |
Initial Order.
|
Apr. 30, 2021 |
Notice of Appearance (Heidi Parker).
|
Apr. 30, 2021 |
Administrative Complaint filed.
|
Apr. 30, 2021 |
Finding of Probable Cause filed.
|
Apr. 30, 2021 |
Election of Rights filed.
|
Apr. 30, 2021 |
Agency referral filed.
|