Maine is among the least populous states in the nation. As a result, attracting quality teachers to educate the state's young people isn't always easy. Both recruitment and retention of quality teachers are high priorities of the state's Department of Education (DOE). Yet, the DOE also remains committed to disciplining teachers who have engaged in misconduct that could harm students or otherwise compromise the reputation of the rest of the state's educational professionals. While rooting out sincerely harmful teachers is a noble goal, the DOE doesn't always target those who should be rightfully disciplined as a result of suspect or truly egregious behavior. As is true of every government agency, sometimes the DOE gets it wrong.
The Lento Law Firm understands how stressful it can be to devote extraordinary energy to the teaching profession only to be accused of conduct that may result in discipline and/or licensure consequences. We also understand how critical it is to keep qualified teachers in classrooms, especially in areas affected by educator shortages. As a result, we dedicate our professional license defense practice to serving educators like you.
Unfortunately, state licensing boards do not always engage in proper due diligence when investigating the alleged misconduct of teachers. They may also fail to get to know those who come before them, which robs the disciplinary process of necessary context and can result in unjust disciplinary actions. If you are facing accusations of professional wrongdoing, you may be understandably concerned about being misunderstood and about having your career compromised as a result. Know that if you work with us to defend your case utilizing every possible resource at your disposal, we will do everything we can to avoid that unjust and unfavorable outcome.
The Lento Law Firm's Professional License Defense Team is ready to defend the teaching license that you worked so hard to earn. Call us today at 888-535-3686 or submit your details online to learn more about how we can help.
The Maine Department of Education Is Empowered to Discipline You
Every state regulates the licensure requirements of teachers in its own way. Similarly, every state board that oversees this licensure also has the authority to suspend or revoke licenses under certain circumstances. Most state boards are also empowered to discipline teachers for engaging in specific kinds of unprofessional conduct.
In Maine, the state's Department of Education manages teaching licensure for those who aspire to teach in public schools. It also engages in disciplinary determinations when those who are already licensed have been accused of significant professional misconduct. It is similarly empowered to deny the application of a prospective teacher whose history of misconduct meets certain criteria. Certain efforts are undertaken by the state's commissioner of education, while others are assumed by the Maine State Board of Education.
If you have been accused of professional misconduct, you are facing the risk of sanctions that range from a letter of concern to the revocation of your professional license. While some of these potential consequences are undoubtedly more serious than others, you should treat your situation with the utmost seriousness regardless. A blemish on your record, no matter how relatively minor, could make it far harder to fight back effectively if you are ever accused of misconduct again. It could also limit your professional opportunities moving forward and negatively impact your personal and professional well-being. As a result, responding assertively by seeking legal guidance and defending against the accusations at hand is, essentially, the only viable way forward.
The Truth Alone May Not Safeguard You from Discipline
Our firm's extensive experience defending teachers against disciplinary actions has provided us with insights as to how and why innocent teachers are sometimes accused of wrongdoing. We understand that while the truth should, logically and objectively, “set one free,” there is simply no guarantee that the Maine Department of Education will focus on the facts in the ways that one would hope and expect. Like anyone else, those who are employed at the state's DOE are not always rational, and they are not always fair. As a result, it is important to guard against the risk of an unjust and unfavorable outcome by seeking legal guidance as proactively as possible after being accused of misconduct that could impact your career.
In our experience, the conscious and subconscious biases that all people grapple with can negatively impact disciplinary action if these biases are left unchecked. Similarly, failure to appropriately consider all of the evidence relevant to a situation can lead to disastrous results. Working with our respected Professional License Defense Team can mitigate the risk that the failures of the state's Department of Education will result in lasting negative impacts on your career.
Why Fight to Defend Your Teaching License?
Take a moment to consider just how much work you put in to earn your teaching license. You had to earn high enough grades to get into college. You then had to complete your college education, pass a rigorous exam, and meet all of the other criteria required by the state to earn your credentials.
Due to the practical experience you have already gained on the job, additional doors within the profession remain open to you, both in Maine and in other states. If you are disciplined, perhaps including license suspension or revocation, those doors could shut. All the hard work and dedication you have invested could be compromised forever. By seeking legal guidance and fighting back, you'll place yourself in the strongest possible position to safeguard everything that you've worked so hard to achieve and the opportunities that remain available to you moving forward.
Grounds for Discipline Against Teachers in Maine
There are a number of reasons why the Maine Department of Education may take disciplinary action against a teacher. When the standards of the teaching profession are compromised in ways that could hurt children, the commissioner or the State Board of Education may act on their assessment that an applicant for a credential should be rejected or that a teacher who is already employed should be disciplined. Common grounds for discipline that can lead to the revocation of a license include:
- Physical abuse of a child
- Sexual abuse of a child
- Exploitation of a child
- A conviction of certain criminal offenses
- Fraud
- Gross incompetence
The state has also determined that school psychologists and guidance counselors can be disciplined for advertising, offering, administering, or otherwise engaging in conversion therapy of a minor. Those seeking a credential for such positions can also have their applications denied for all of these reasons.
Additionally, any teacher who is deemed “unfit” to teach for any reason related to unprofessional conduct may potentially be dismissed from their employment by their local school board accordingly.
In the event that an individual's teaching license is revoked, it may be reinstated – subject to specific waiting periods for cases involving abuse or exploitation – if the former teacher can sufficiently demonstrate that they have been rehabilitated to the extent that they have earned the right to the public's trust. Yet, the decision to grant a reinstatement or not rests with the commissioner alone (subject to a right to appeal in the district court), who has the authority to render a judgment subject to their personal discretion. It is ideal to avoid the process of requesting a reinstatement – which is far from guaranteed – by safeguarding one's license at the time when one's fitness to teach is called into question in the first place.
Reaching a Decision in Teacher Licensing Cases in Maine
In many states, a teaching licensing board engages in complex hearing procedures when an education professional is accused of wrongdoing. Maine does things a little differently. In matters that could lead to license revocation, the commissioner of education is granted the authority to seek this revocation in the district court. If a teacher does not want to go through the process of defending their license in court, the law grants the commissioner the right to enter into a consent agreement with a teacher whose professionalism is being scrutinized instead.
There are times when negotiating for favorable consent agreement terms is the best course of action. There are also times when presenting a full-throated defense in court is preferable. Every teacher's situation is unique. Our Professional License Defense Team does not employ a cookie-cutter approach to license matters. Instead, we personalize our approach to meet the unique needs and goals of every client that we serve. Know that if you entrust your case to us, you will never be made to feel like “just another client.” Instead, we will tailor our strategy to your circumstances so that you have the best chance of benefitting from a favorable outcome.
Why Allow the Lento Law Firm Team to Represent You When Your Maine Teaching License Is in Jeopardy?
If your teaching license is in jeopardy, you may be understandably concerned about your family's budget right now. As a result, you may be wondering whether you can avoid legal fees and simply represent your own interests as you move forward. Ultimately, while a “do-it-yourself spirit” is often laudable, there are some instances in which professional assistance is necessary. Just as you wouldn't operate on yourself given the stakes of a surgical procedure gone wrong, you shouldn't risk your career, your professional well-being, access to future opportunities, and your financial stability by DIYing your disciplinary situation.
The Lento Law Firm's Professional License Defense Team has extensive experience managing cases just like yours. We understand how biases, misinterpretations, laziness, omissions, and other failures on the part of licensing authorities can destroy the careers of fit, dedicated teachers. We are committed to advocating on behalf of your interests in strategic, tailored ways so that you can benefit from the best possible opportunity to secure a favorable outcome.
The Maine Department of Education has many resources at its disposal that can facilitate swift disciplinary action that may or may not be grounded in facts. You have worked hard to earn your license. You deserve to work with a nationally recognized firm that serves teachers all over the U.S. and has the resources you'll need to mount a successful defense against such a powerful agency's allegations.
We can help by gathering relevant evidence, preparing favorable testimony, exploring all potential options that would be favorable to you, representing you in negotiation settings, and – if necessary – aggressively advocating on your behalf if further legal action is appropriate to safeguard your interests. While we cannot guarantee a specific outcome, we can assure you that we will work tirelessly on your behalf. And while we do not rest on our laurels, our track record of success speaks for itself.
We Serve Teachers Employed in School Districts Throughout Maine
Regardless of where you teach in Maine, if you are disciplined at the state level, your school board could also take action against you. Know that we serve teachers throughout Maine, including those who are employed in large and small districts alike. Our team is familiar with the workings of local districts, including:
- Portland Public Schools
- Lewiston Public Schools
- Bangor Public Schools
- Auburn Public Schools
- Sanford Public Schools
- Scarborough Public Schools
Whether you teach in an urban or rural setting, we can assist you.
Contact the Lento Law Firm's Professional License Defense Team to Start Fighting for Your Maine Teaching License
When you have worked hard to earn your teaching license, you are a fit teacher, and you deserve to keep dedicating your time to your students. Fighting against allegations of wrongdoing is a must. Know that we will treat you with the respect that you deserve and your case with the urgency that it demands.
Connect with the Lento Law Firm at 888-535-3686 today for a consultation to learn more about how we will fight for your teaching license in Maine. You can also contact us online if that is more convenient for you. Either way, we look forward to hearing from you and to assisting you during this challenging time.
