A teacher in New Jersey was recently suspended because she supposedly held a 4-year-old autistic boy upside down and shook him. Apparently, several teachers and aides witnessed the incident, one of whom intervened and then reported it to their supervisor the next morning. Local officials are investigating the issue, but parents gathered a few weeks later to demand answers about the teacher's status at the school.

When teachers are found responsible for violating professional or ethical codes of conduct, they can potentially lose their teaching licenses. If this happens, not only will they be unable to work as a teacher, but it could negatively impact the rest of their life. If you or someone you know is struggling with accusations of misconduct that could affect their teaching license, the Lento Law Firm's Professional Licensure Defense Team and Attorney-Advisor Joseph D. Lento can help. Call today.

Common Teacher's License Violations

Each state's exam and license requirements for teachers are different, but usually, they require them to take a specific set of exams. Additionally, teaching licenses must be renewed every few years to stay valid. Once you receive your license, you are made aware of certain professional and ethical standards you must uphold or risk losing your license.

There are several ways a teacher's license can be lost, including:

• Incompetence.
• Gross immorality.
• Having a teaching license in another state revoked.
• Being convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic violation.
• Breaching your teaching contract.
• Sexually, physically, or emotionally abusing students.
• Assaulting students.
• Accepting bribes in any form.
• Having an inappropriate relationship with a student.
• Teaching while under the influence of alcohol or other substances.

The Lento Law Firm's Professional Licensure Defense Team Can Help

Becoming a teacher takes a lot of time and patience, but if you are accused of violating the standards of your profession, you could lose everything you've worked so hard for. When teachers are initially accused of misconduct, they are given the opportunity to defend themselves, presenting evidence and witness statements to support that defense. Unfortunately, many teachers are unaware of their rights during these proceedings and end up trying to defend themselves, which is often unsuccessful.

If the state licensing board or school district determines that you are responsible for the accused misconduct, they will impose sanctions, which may include a suspension or revocation. Once your license is revoked, it cannot be reinstated, meaning you will not be able to work as a teacher going forward. This can then impact your ability to provide for yourself and your family and inhibit the types of jobs you may qualify for in the future.

The Lento Law Firm's Professional Licensure Defense Team has spent years helping teachers accused of misconduct. They understand how confusing these accusations can be and will work tirelessly to ensure you are fully prepared for the proceedings, guaranteeing you the best possible outcome. Call 888-535-3686 or schedule a consultation today.