Law in the classroom

Andre Wang teaches law and ethics to future educators

Lawyer Andre Wang taught a contract class this summer on the Legal and Ethical Aspects of Education for the School of Education and Psychology. 

The class discussed law as it pertains to classroom teaching. Some the topics covered included liability exposure for teachers, how the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution applies to what teachers and students can and cannot say, the employment rights of teachers in hiring and termination, and the duties of a teacher in observing and reporting child abuse. 

“In the risk-conscious world we live in, this class was intended to give new teachers some basic knowledge of the law and how it impacts their work in the classroom. As educators, it is important that they be aware of the legal implications of many of the things they do day-to-day,” said Wang.  

Wang currently works as legal counsel for the North Pacific Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. He advises education administrators, principals, and teachers in the SDA school system on the legal issues that arise. Additionally, he teaches business law at Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham, Oregon. 

Debbie Muthersbaugh, professor of education, has personally known Wang since her early years as an elementary teacher. She taught Wang’s third grade class as her first teaching assignment and “was always impressed with his passion and love of learning.” 

“This past summer we had an opening for an instructor for the legal and ethical class and Andre was the first person I thought of when looking for someone qualified to teach,” said Muthersbaugh. “Andre’s expertise is very specific in knowledge of the law because of his training and experience as a lawyer. He also has a broad interest in many aspects of the law, making him an excellent instructor for this course.” 

For more information about the School of Education and Psychology visit click here

Posted October 1, 2021

Professional headshot of Andre Wang
Photo courtesy of the North Pacific Union Conference.