STATE OF' FLORIDA EDUCATION PRACTICES COMMISSION

DR. ERIC .J. SMITH, as

Commissioner of Education,

Petitioner,

vs. CASE NO. 089-2725

CATHERINE WIRES,

Respondent.

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ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT

Petitioner, Dr. Eric J. Smith, as Commissioner of Education, files this Administrative Complaint against CATHERINE WIRES. The Petitioner seeks the appropriate disciplinary sanction of the Respondent's edu,cator's certificate pursuant to Sections 1012.315, 10 12.795, and l 012.796, Fiorida 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 FJorida Educator's Certificate 820633, covering the areas of ElementarJ Education, E1tgiish for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), and Gifted, which is valid through June 30, 2011.

   
   

2. At all times pertinent hereto, the Respondent was employed as a Fourth Grade Teacher at Dania Elementary School in the Broward County School District..

   
   

   MATERIAL ALLEGATIONS

   
   

3. During the 2007 - 2008 school year; irt Broward County, Florida, Respo11dent participated in National Board Certification through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). While participating in the certification process, Responden t submitted mated al for evaluation that demonstrated a high degree of overlap between her submissions and that of another cu11ent or former candidate.

   
   

   Filed April 4, 2011 12:38 PM Division of Administrative Hearings

   
   

   CATH'E RINE WIRES

   Administrative Complaint

   Page 2 of3

   
   

4. On or about April 13, 2009, the NBPTS detennined that Respondent had violated the NBPTS Certification Policy prohibiting dishonesty in connection with the assessment process. NBPTS has banned Respondent from future participation in the National Board process.

The Petitioner charges:

STATUTE VIOLATIONS

COUNT 1: The Respondent is in violation of Section 1012.795(l)(d), Florida Statutes, in that Respondent has been guilty of gross innnorality or an act involving moral turpitude as defined by rule of the State Board of Education.

COUNT 2: The Respondent is in violation of Section 1012.795(1)0), 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 6B- 1• O"V o"-\'..CJ\J/\a) , .r1n'1o1-1'da A...t.l.l,1..J,l.l :strat;....e "Vod"v", U;......l tha+t.Res¥. n.A.LoU.nHt has .f<".-u:l.1u1..,..,,....r,1_ tn '-m' ait,u7.f,_o.,,1,_r,_i, ,h,_orJP..,c..i,y AinH•1••1 professional dealings.

COUNT 4: The Respondent is in violation of Rule 6B.1006(5)(h), Florida Administrative Code, in that Respondent has submitted fraudulent information on a document in connection with professional activities.

(SIGNATlJRE ON I?OLLOWING PAGE)

CATHERJNE \VIRES

A_dn1inistrative Con1plaint

Page 3 of3

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 IO12.795(1) and 1012.796(7), Florida Statutes. The sanctions imposed by the Education Practices Connnission 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; directi..ng 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 j_\-\--h day of jV\ cb , 2010.

DR. ElUC Jiji{i_rrH, as --- Commissioner of Education

State of Florida

Docket for Case No: 11-001667PL