STATE OF FLORIDA EDUCATION PRACTICES COMMISSION Oi Bat TPL HE WLIO AM: 3] JEANINE BLOMBERG, as VISION OF Commissioner of Education, AUM mera IVE HEARINGS _ & Perasyes Petitioner, vs. CASE NO. 056-0075-B MAHDY E. GITTENS, Respondent. — Petitioner, Jeanine Blomberg, as Commissioner of Education, files this Administrative Complaint against MAHDY E. GITTENS. The Petitioner seeks the appropriate disciplinary sanction of the Respondent’s educator’s certificate pursuant to Sections 1012.795 and 1012.796, Florida Statutes, and pursuant to Rule 6B-1.006, 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 806321, covering the area of History, which is valid through June 30, 2008. 2. At all times pertinent hereto, the Respondent was employed as a Social Science Teacher at Miami Coral Park Senior High School in the Miami-Dade County School District. MATERIAL ALLEGATIONS 3. On or about January 28, 2005, Respondent inappropriately removed D.M., a sixteen- year-old, female student, from her classroom. Respondent inappropriately draped his arm around D.M.’s shoulder and escorted her to a vacant classroom where he caressed her face and told her she was pretty. When D.M. exited the room and returned to her classroom, Respondent followed her, entered her classroom, and stared at her inappropriately and in front of her classmates. On or about June 15, 2005, the district terminated Respondent from his teaching position. The Petitioner charges: MAHDY E. GITTENS Administrative Complaint Page 2 of 3 STATUTE VIOLATIONS COUNT 1: The Respondent is in violation of Section 1012.795(1)(c), Florida Statutes, in that Respondent has been guilty of gross immorality or an act involving moral turpitude. _ COUNT 2: The Respondent is in violation of Section 1012.795(1)(), Florida Statutes, in that Respondent has been found guilty of personal conduct which seriously reduces his effectiveness as an employee of the school board. COUNT3: 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 4:. The allegations of misconduct set forth herein are in violation of Rule 6B- 1.006(3)(a), 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. COUNT 5: The allegations of misconduct set forth herein are in violation of Rule 6B- 1.006(3)(e), Florida Administrative Code, in that Respondent has intentionally exposed a student to unnecessary embarrassment or disparagement. : COUNT 6: The allegations of misconduct set forth herein are in violation of Rule 6B- 1.006(3)(g), Florida Administrative Code, in that Respondent has harassed or discriminated against a student on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, marital status, handicapping condition, sexual orientation, or social and family background and shall make reasonable effort to assure that each student is protected from harassment or discrimination. (SIGNATURE ON FOLLOWING PAGE) MAHDY E. GITTENS 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 petiod of time up to 10 years or permanently; or batring the Respondent from reapplying for an educator’s certificate for a period of time up to 10 years or permanently. EXECUTED on this \\_g day of uly , 2007. t ‘ANINE BLOMBERG, as Commissioner of Education State of Florida

Docket for Case No: 08-003317PL