State yanks license from ‘incompetent' former Palm Bay teacher

PALM BAY, Fla. — A former Brevard County teacher won't see the inside of a Florida classroom for at least five years after the state yanked his teaching license following a series of complaints.

A suspension order said state investigators determined the teacher was incompetent.

Channel 9 obtained a copy of this order to suspend former Brevard County art teacher Mark Ostermeier's license for five years.

The report said that over the course of at least 10 years Ostermeier taught at both Bayside High School and Lockmar Elementary School in Palm Bay.

State investigators said Ostermeier was incompetent and said his students had been “deprived a minimum educational experience."

Investigators said the teacher also sent elementary school students outside his classroom to look for dinosaurs.

The state said school administrators felt the practice placed students at risk.

Officials said Ostermeier thought the "technique was an acceptable strategy that should have been allowed."

"I do not approve of that,” parent Tanaya Desdunes said. “And I would definitely have a huge concern with that and would not like it."

State investigators said school administrators rated Ostermeier's performance as unsatisfactory, but somehow "he was given a contract for the following school year in error."

Channel 9 reached out to the school district for comment but didn’t immediately receive a response.

It's unclear if Ostermeier taught anywhere else after leaving the Brevard County school district four years ago.

Cox Media Group