Facts: HG received a complaint from TEA and after denial of an agreed order, the matter was set for trial. The allegations within TEA’s petition alleged a variety of violations. The first set of violations alleged that HG was inappropriate with two students. He allegedly asked a female student out for dinner after graduation and attempted to kiss another student while employed with the school district. Further, he made inappropriate comments and jokes during his class lectures which made students feel uncomfortable. Lastly, he had a history of prior reprimands with the school, one of which results in a demotion in position, and he misrepresented his exit from the school on a subsequent job application.
Outcome: Once the matter was set for trial the firm completed discovery and received all the evidence that TEA was preparing to introduce at trial. The firm also spoke to several witnesses for TEA and for HG in order to determine the best defenses and arguments against revocation. After consultation with TEA, the firm was able to have TEA agree to a suspension of HG’s license. This avoided revocation, a permanent ban from teaching and prevented registration on the Texas Do not Hire Registy.