Teacher May Get Job Back Ethics Panel Won’t Revoke Certificate For Student Affair

A former Kellogg High School teacher who had a love affair with a student may get a chance to return to his teaching career.

An ethics panel decided last month that Mark Holzer’s teaching certificate should be suspended for two years, rather than revoked.

Lois Schlaefer heard the news this week, and was pleased. She was among four teachers who spoke on his behalf at an emotional hearing in December.

“I’m just really pleased that someone who’s such a good teacher has not had his certificate revoked,” Schlaefer said. “Hopefully, he’ll be back teaching some day.”

Holzer is living in Montana and could not be reached for comment. He had asked for the Professional Standards Commission hearing, in which he tearfully apologized for the affair.

He testified that his marriage was in trouble when he started his relationship with the student.

His wife also cried as she spoke on his behalf, blaming herself for bringing the young woman into their home.

No criminal charges were filed, because the student was 18 years old. Still, such liaisons are considered a breach a professional ethics.

Serving as “judges” in the case were three teachers: Diane Brumley and Dwight Wilson of Coeur d’Alene, and Donna Johnson of Lewiston.

Such decisions, Wilson said this week, “are tough as heck. I hope I never, ever have to do it again.”

The panelists based their finding, he said, on a counselor’s conclusion that Holzer had no longstanding pattern of behavior involving young women.

The counselor stated that Holzer is not “pathologically attracted to young girls nor fantasizes about relationships.”

Wilson was impressed by the fact that the young woman’s parents seemed to be supporting Holzer. The two families had reportedly been close.

A letter was sent to Holzer in January informing him of the suspension. He had 21 days to contest it, and has not done so, said Roger Hanshew of the Department of Education’s professional standards office.

The suspension was effective July 1, 1996. It included three conditions.

Holzer must continue to receive counseling; provide community service; and provide a counselor’s letter saying that he is unlikely to engage in romantic or sexual relations with a student again.

, DataTimes