Reader comments
Hearing will determine the fate of Fanjul's teaching license

Professional Conduct | 7:08 a.m. June 10, 2009

If the question was asked, "How professional was his/her conduct?" of all teachers in the state I think there would be a lot more of them exploring alternative career options. Whose toes did this guy step on to get this kind of treatment?

Chris | 7:22 a.m. June 10, 2009

Let me get this strait. This board of people, who is probably as stiff as a board and out of touch, is going to judge someone that goes above and beyond what a teacher does to help students become excited about learning? Are you serious!? The rotten attitude of most teachers is why students have a tough time at school, and wonder, "what is the use". I am sure he has to make some adjustments, so that he insures himself against things like this happening again. But to cast a negative light on someone, because his approach was working, compared to the card board cutouts of these so called judges. Plus throw in his nationality, which is a little different from the American culture is. You also have to wonder, how many of the insiders, actually are guilty, but haven't been caught, because they are part of the in crowd.

Big Brother is watching | 8:07 a.m. June 10, 2009

I agree with Utah State Office of Education attorney Carol Lear, we certainly would not want a high school teacher to develop any sort of caring relationship with his or her students. Kids between the ages of 14-18 need detached, uncaring teachers so that they can grow up to be detached, uncaring attorneys.

Both my daughters had Mr. Fanjul and said he was one of best. I wish him only the best and hope he can get his life back on track. He is too good a teacher to be left stranded.

Comments continue below

Big Brother is Watching | 8:13 a.m. June 10, 2009

I meant to say "unattached".

I needed better teachers in High School, too.

mac | 8:50 a.m. June 10, 2009

We have become a society that does not give second chances. Mr. Fanjul made some mistakes. That's obvious, and I'm sure he would admit it. But I don't think he should loose his job over this. The governing committee needs to understand that even the best of teachers can make mistakes and help him correct any misconducts he may have committed so this doesn't happen again. Let's keep good teachers in the profession.

Good Luck, Mr. Fanjul! | 9:00 a.m. June 10, 2009

What a shame that his career could be ruined. My sons had him as a teacher. He was a very GREAT teacher and example. I never doubted his innocence. He is a caring a giving teacher, and to have a disreputable student ruin his career (and egged on by idiot lawyers) is the greatest shame.

Let Him Teach | 9:29 a.m. June 10, 2009

His students think he's great. Students who did not have him as a teacher think he's great. He was acquitted, and by all accounts is a fabulous teacher. My kids have had other teachers who still are teaching, but have no business teaching. Please Board, LET HIM TEACH!

Concerned | 10:04 a.m. June 10, 2009

It appears that the USOE's attorney Carol Lear has already made some judgments about Mr. Fanjul. The article quotes her as saying, "I think there's going to be some discipline...Is it more likely than not that there was unprofessional behavior? Of course there was--just what we heard (in court)."

It doesn't sound like Lear has an unbiased mindset as she goes into the USOE hearings. I hope that in spite of Lear's bias at this point, Mr. Fanjul will get an objective, professional hearing.

He was acquitted of the criminal charges that were brought against him, but other things occurred which may still be an issue. I don't know enough about teacher licensing requirements as they relate to teacher behavior.

Is text-messaging students specifically forbidden in the teachers' code of conduct? My daughter is a class officer at her high school. She receives text-messages from her teacher-adviser to coordinate their activities. The officers and this adviser have gone out to lunch on occasion. This adviser is a caring teacher and an excellent SBO adviser. Should she lose her teaching license?

It feels like Fanjul is being railroaded.

Prosecuting Attorney | 10:26 a.m. June 10, 2009

If he is innocent then why is his teaching license at risk?

Knowwhat | 11:13 a.m. June 10, 2009

RE:Prosecuting Attorney, if he was guilty and you had the evidence, why didn't you convict him. Maybe you need to be disbarred for being a inadequate PA.

Anonymous | 11:42 a.m. June 10, 2009

As someone once charged with this type of offense and charges dropped against me, here is the fact. This stuff sticks with you like a fungus, it never goes away, people will always talk, and they will doubt no matter how innocent you are or were. Here is one FACT. He will always be looking over his shoulder, he will always be extra careful to NOT put himself in harms way. He will never interview a female student in his room alone with the door shut, EVER! He will never put himself out of sight of the "Public" alone with a female student or any student if he smart. He will never feel comfortable touching a student with more than a handshake, and he will be miserable because he cannot be "himself" who he really is, because of fear of being "Accused" again. It is a fear he will always live with. Even if he gets his license and his job back, personally I think he will be very careful, and it may even make him paranoid after a short amount of time to even enjoy teaching the way he once did. He will live with this fact.

Incensed | 12:06 p.m. June 10, 2009

It is true under the circumstances that the board should be involved in re-enstatement.

BUT

Lear's comment "I think there's going to be some discipline...Is it more likely than not that there was unprofessional behavior? Of course there was--just what we heard (in court)." is more than a little out of line and unprofessional and possibly illegal to make at this time.

May I suggest the board consider severe action against someone, just not the teacher.

Students of West High Stand Up | 12:58 p.m. June 10, 2009

I for one have serious questions about the USOE Attorney making conclusive statements about what already is going to happen BEFORE Mr. Fanjul has even been allowed to appear before the board and make his case. Does anyone really think he's going to get a fair shake now? Ms. Lear needs to be released as the USOE's attorney and referred to the Bar for eggregious misconduct.

Students of West High and their parents who value this teacher need to gather together in force to support him.

So, get out your cell phones and start texting, start a support group on Facebook, contact all past students who valued their classes with Mr. Fanjul and on the day of his hearing bombard the School Board with your presence to show them that you will not tolerate the continuance of dragging this man through the mud. You have a voice - now is the time to use it.

On a side note, does anyone know if the accusing girl's status as a student is being investigated since she has now ruined the lives of TWO teachers, with her allegations against one being proven completely baseless?

My2Cents | 1:41 p.m. June 10, 2009

What about accepting a "thong" as a gift from a female student?! This alone should be enough to lose his license!

Good Teachers are ostercized | 2:37 p.m. June 10, 2009

Time after time I've seen teachers trying to do something different and better and out of the norm. In every case they were eliminated by other teachers that saw them as a threat because it made them feel like they weren't doing enough. Easier to eliminate the good teachers so you don't have to feel guilty about maintaining the status quo.

By the way, did anyone see the UEA backing Mr. Fanjul? didn't think so. Let this be a lesson to all you UEA card-carrying members. They only want your union dues and to pass propaganda for them. Quit being used and let's move forward and deep-six the UEA. It would be a huge move forward.

too bad | 2:55 p.m. June 10, 2009

that this is going to be hanging over him for the rest of his life. I do hope he can get on somewhere maybe not as a teacher but another career alternative, where he can, again support himself and his family.

This ought to be good... | 4:53 p.m. June 10, 2009

Mr. Fanjul gives a whole new meaning to providing "an education." You apparently got your money's worth if you were a young lady in his class - especially if you needed some one-on-one individual tutoring. He went above and beyond for many students, and also below. He is now mastering the art of "Spin" to explain his actions. Yes, he was innocent of this, but guilty of much else and poor teaching conduct.

Arthur | 5:02 p.m. June 10, 2009

He should lose his liscence at least because he violated teacher rule #467.

"Treat any student who has previously sued as a school pariah or social leper."

Dumb | 8:22 p.m. June 10, 2009

I think he should lose his license, if he has no better judgment than to become involved, in any capacity, with a troubled young woman who had already been violated by another teacher, now serving time for his crimes. There are many ways to show support to a troubled student without compromising your ethical conduct. And yes .... I am a male teacher.

Re: Prosecuting Attorney | 10:04 p.m. June 10, 2009

If you are actually an attorney you would know that his frequent late-night chats with the girl and inappropriate e-mails were prohibited by school policy.

He might be a great teacher, but there is ZERO reason for a male teacher to be chatting online with a 17 year-old female student after midnight.

Is the risk worth it? | 10:07 a.m. June 12, 2009

It was my teen son and his friends that suggested that I become a substitute teacher. Im writing a book and starting yet another business, so I spend my time working at home.

Ive always been personable and an excellent salesman, so teaching a class came easy. The kids loved me and asked their teachers to have me back. The school principle came down to introduce himself because he wanted to meet the teacher that so many students were talking about. The school secretary asked if I was interested in applying for a job.

After just a few days in one class, several kids asked me sex-ed type questions. In another class, several girls wanted hugs every time I taught and other kids were opening up and telling about drug use and abuse in their homes.

So I quit!

Not because of the kids, which obviously were desperate for adults to trust, but because it was far too risky. I didn't dare be anything but a teacher for these kids and I could clearly see that too many of them were desperate for much more. As Fanjul shows, its dangerous to excel at being a teacher.

@Is therisk worth it? | 5:08 p.m. June 12, 2009

Fanjul and you both have it wrong. The answer is to be a strong male role model, AND the kind of guy kids trust, AND be able to maintain a boundary. If someone doesn't do it, guys like Fanjul fill the gap. Or the gap is left open and kids fall through. When enough fall through, a community fails. When enough communities fail, the culture fails.

Bill | 10:19 a.m. June 13, 2009

There's a different standard for a professional conduct hearing for a teacher vs. a criminal trial.

Remember, OJ Simpson was also acquitted, but Nicole's parents later won an enormous civil lawsuit against OJ.

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