Oregon’s 2014 Teacher of Year sacked

PORTLAND, Ore. — A special education teacher has been fired the year after winning Oregon’s Teacher of the Year award.

The Multnomah Education Service District announced the decision Friday, saying Brett Bigham lost focus and prioritized outside activities after winning the 2014 award.

“It was a difficult decision and not what we hoped for,” Interim Superintendent Jim Rose said in a statement. “Brett is a great teacher. Unfortunately, it became clear over time that Brett’s focus was no longer his classroom and students, as evidenced by excessive time away and distraction during class time.”

Bigham has helped special education students between the ages of 18 and 21 with work and life skills. He was put on paid administrative leave March 20.

Bigham filed two complaints in recent months against the district with the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries, alleging sexual-orientation discrimination and retaliation. Labor department spokesman Charlie Burr said the agency is monitoring Bigham’s case and plans to soon complete its investigation.

The issue of absences came to light in February when officials initially threatened Bigham with termination if he attended a gala in Washington, D.C., where he was to receive a national education award.

Bigham said the district miscalculated his absences, and the firing is retaliation for filing complaints. His lawyer and union representative will meet to discuss future steps, he said.

“I do not intend to go down without a fight,” Bigham told The Oregonian newspaper (http://is.gd/VdOtWI).

Union president Hanna Vaandering said in a statement that she was astonished to hear the news. “Anyone who knows Brett— his students, their parents, his colleagues — knows that he is a wonderful educator,” she said.

Experienced substitutes will teach Bigham’s class for the rest of the school year, and the district will continue to offer the functional living skills program, district spokeswoman Laura Conroy said.