Educator’s criminal convictions warrant three-year suspension, but not revocation, of teaching certificate.

Petitioner, an educator, pled guilty to possession of cocaine, a felony, as well as three misdemeanor convictions, and was sentenced to probation.   In light of Petitioner’s criminal convictions, the Professional Standards Commission recommended revocation of her teaching certificate.  However, the Court found that the Commission’s proposed sanction was too harsh and inappropriate in light of testimony from her peers that her criminal conduct was out of character and that she was a superb educator.  Accordingly, the Court modified the sanction to a three-year suspension.