A special education teacher has been fired the year after winning Oregon’s teacher of the year award.
The Multnomah Education Service District said Brett Bigham lost focus and prioritized outside activities after winning the 2014 award. The issue of absences came to light in February when officials initially threatened Mr. Bigham with termination if he attended a gala in Washington, where he was to receive a national education award.
He filed two complaints in recent months against the district with the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries, alleging sexual-orientation discrimination and retaliation. Mr. Bigham said that the district miscalculated his absences, and that the firing is retaliation for filing complaints.
