The other day I wondered if I could determine which 38 criminal convictions in Oregon would prevent a person from obtaining a state teacher’s license. An impossible task, I thought then. But today it occurred to me: the CEO knows how to look up useful legal tidbits like oh, say, criminal statutes. It’s almost like I’ve been trained or even employed to do that sort of thing. Eerie.

What did I learn about the Chief Educator’s future prospects for employment? I learned that for a teacher to lose or be denied renewal of their license there needs to be an actual conviction of a crime on the list, not just an accusation or strong suspicion. I think the Chief Educator’s job is saved on that little technicality.

A few crimes from the list in no particular order and selected for no particular reason. No particular reason whatsoever. Aggravated Murder. Public Indecency. Arson. Disseminating Obscene Materials. Prostitution.

Molding young minds indeed.