Former teacher loses teaching license due to sexual misconduct

Sagarika Ramachandran and Kayla Rae|September 20, 2018

Former social studies and Constitution Team teacher, George Ten Eyck, had his Educator license revoked this summer by the Teachers Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC) for sexual misconduct with students.

Both The Oregonian and The Portland Tribune published articles regarding the revocation of Ten Eyck’s license in the weeks before school began.

According to the public Default Order of Revocation and Revocation of Right to Apply for Licensure available on the TSPC website, “In June 2017, school officials received a report that during the 2015-2016 school year, Ten Eyck engaged in a sexual relationship with a then 17 year old student who attended” one of Ten Eyck’s classes at Lincoln. “Information was shared with local law enforcement who conducted an investigation.”

The Default Order noted that additional information was obtained alleging that Ten Eyck was “flirtatious with other [female] students in his class, inappropriately communicated with female students via social media/Facebook Messenger, and engaged in conversations that were overly friendly and inappropriate for a student/teacher relationship.”

Ten Eyck resigned effective July 12, 2017.

“On July 14, 2017,” states the Default Order, “Ten Eyck emailed the “contact” for the Commission and asked  how he could rescind or surrender his teaching license. Follow up emails went unanswered.” The Default Order states that Ten Eyck failed to respond to TSPC investigators’ requests in December 2017 and January 2018 for an interview regarding the allegations.

Ten Eyck’s educator license was revoked on August 9, 2018 under the violation of several Oregon Administrative Rules. According to the Default Order Ten Eyck violated rules such as “Use professional judgement,” “Any sexual conduct with a student,” and “Not demonstrating or expressing professionally inappropriate interest in a student’s personal life.”

Anthony Rosilez, the Executive Director of the TSPC, wrote in the report that due to Ten Eyck’s failure to request a hearing within 21 days of The Notice of Opportunity of Hearing, dated April 30, 2018, “the commision will adopt an order of default which may include the revocation or suspension of [one’s] license or other discipline.”

According to the Portland Tribune, Ten Eyck denied the allegations to the PPS investigators.  

The Cardinal Times contacted Ten Eyck by phone but he declined to comment.

 

Who to talk to if you see or experience misconduct

At Lincoln
• Lincoln administrators: Peyton Chapman([email protected]), James McGee ([email protected]), Jo Ann Wadkins ([email protected]), Ginger Taylor ([email protected]).

Note: PPS employees are mandatory reporters, meaning that they must report evidence of abuse to authorities.

• Counseling Center: Jim Hanson, Gina Batliner, Judy Herzberg (speak to your counselor for a referral)

• Room 126: Mary Johnson, school nurse ([email protected])

• SafeOregon tip line (anonymous tips will be passed to Lincoln administrators): Call or text: 844-472-3367, Email: [email protected], Mobile app: SafeOregon on iOS/Android, Website: http://safeoregon.com/report-a-tip/

• SAFER Club: Instagram @safer.lhs, Email [email protected],Student leaders (not mandatory reporters): Maggie Satchwell, Tori Siegel, Julia Ziegler

Local support
• Multnomah County Victims’ Assistance Program: 24-hour on-call response to the victims of sexual assault (503-988-3222)

• Sexual Assault Resource Center (SARC), based in Washington County: 24-hour anonymous, confidential, and free support (503-640-5311)

• Victim Rights Law Center (VRLC): Se habla español (503-274-5477)

• Call to Safety: Call the crisis line 24/7. Always free and confidential. (503-235-5333)

National Organizations
• National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1.800.656. HOPE (4673), Live chat: https://www.rainn. org/

• Safe Horizon: Need help? Call our 24-hour hotline (1-800-621-4673)

• Teen Line (Teens Helping Teens): Call 310-855-4673, text TEEN to 839863

Compiled by Cardinal Times in collaboration with Lincoln’s SAFER (Students Active For Ending Rape) club