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Hearings

Three-member panels of the Discipline Committee conduct public hearings into cases of alleged incompetence or professional misconduct. Panels are composed of elected and appointed Council members. The certificate of a member found to be incompetent or guilty of professional misconduct may be revoked, suspended, and/or made subject to terms, conditions or limitations. In findings of professional misconduct, the committee may also reprimand, admonish or counsel the member, impose a fine, and order the member to pay costs.

Summaries of recent disciplinary cases are published on the following pages. Copies of the full decisions are available at oct.ca → Members → Complaints and Discipline → Decisions.

The College publishes professional advisories, available at oct-oeeo.ca/ advisories, which are intended to inform members’ professional judgment and practice. For more information about the Ethical Standards for the Teaching Profession, please visit oct-oeeo.ca/ethical.


Member: Jeffrey Tavis Bussineau, OCT
Registration No: 467352
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel suspended the certificate of Algoma District School Board’s teacher Jeffrey Bussineau for failing to maintain appropriate boundaries with a female student.

Bussineau, who was certified to teach in June 2003, was represented by a lawyer and attended the hearings that were held on July 8 and 9, November 14, December 18, 2013, January 14 and 15, and August 7, 2014.

During the 2009–10 academic year, Bussineau had an inappropriate personal relationship with the student, which included engaging in electronic communication with her via Facebook and calling her “hon” and/or “cutie pie.”

The Discipline Committee panel found the member guilty of professional misconduct based on the evidence, onus and standard of proof, and legal submissions.

The panel ordered that his teaching certificate be suspended for one month and that he appear before the panel to receive a reprimand.

In addition, Bussineau was directed to complete a course of instruction in boundary violations at his own expense.

The panel was of the opinion that the member did not seem to be aware of the Professional Advisory — Use of Electronic Communication and Social Media issued by the College. This advisory addresses the numerous challenges and the ramifications associated with the use of electronic communication and social media.

The member acknowledged that engaging in electronic communication with the student constituted an inappropriate personal relationship.

In its written decision, the panel said, “[He] needs to take a specifically created boundaries course which addresses his professional shortcomings and will assist him in modifying his behaviour, should he return to the classroom … The public can be assured that the College takes very seriously the professional misconduct demonstrated in this matter.”


Member: Andrew Stuart Campbell, OCT
Registration No: 185224
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel reprimanded Grand Erie District School Board teacher Andrew Stuart Campbell and ordered his certificate be suspended with conditions for engaging in inappropriate conduct over a number of years.

Campbell, who was certified to teach in 1993, did not attend the public hearing on June 30, 2014, but was represented by legal counsel.

The panel heard that in February 2008, Campbell struck a female student on the back with a volleyball and hit her on her shin with his knuckles. The Children’s Aid Society investigated the matter and confirmed his behaviour was inappropriate. During the same academic year, while teaching at a different school, Campbell grabbed the arm of a male student and applied physical pressure to move him out of a room.

The panel also heard that during the 2005–06 and the 2007–08 academic years, Campbell used sexualized and abusive language toward students and inappropriate teaching materials for school-aged children. His behaviour was unchanged despite multiple warnings, suspensions, counselling and transfer to another school.

Based on the evidence, onus and standard of proof, an agreed statement of facts, a joint submission on penalty, a guilty plea, and the submissions made by legal counsel, the panel found Campbell guilty of professional misconduct and directed the Registrar to suspend his Certificate of Qualification and Registration for two months. Furthermore, Campbell was ordered to appear before the panel following the hearing to receive a reprimand, and required to successfully complete, at his own expense, a preapproved course of instruction covering anger management and sensitivity training within three months.

The panel agreed that the member needed to understand the serious nature of his misconduct, and the need for appropriate professional judgment in his practice and respectful treatment of children. Protection of the public interest is reflected in the member’s suspension, reprimand and coursework.

Publication of the member’s name assures the public that the College will not tolerate such behaviour and will ensure that this type of repeated misconduct will garner such a penalty.


Member: Martin Careen
Registration No: 291611
Decision: Revocation

A Discipline Committee panel revoked the certificate of Martin Careen, a former member of the College and a former teacher in British Columbia, related to a criminal conviction for sexual exploitation.

Certified to teach in February 1994, Careen did not attend the May 30, 2014, hearing nor was his lawyer present.

On July 13, 2011, Careen was found guilty of sexual exploitation following a trial before the Honourable Mr. Justice Terence Schultes, in British Columbia. Careen had sent sexually explicit text messages to a student.

In his judgment, the judge noted, with respect to the text messages, “I am satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr. Careen at the time of these communications intended that (the student) would receive his words as an invitation, incitement or counselling to engage in sexual activity with him.”

On May 16, 2012, Careen was sentenced to a 60-day jail sentence to be served intermittently at three-week intervals.

Careen pleaded guilty to the allegations of professional misconduct made against him by the College.

Having considered the evidence, onus and standard of proof, an agreed statement of facts and a joint submission on penalty as well as College counsel submissions, the panel found Careen guilty of professional misconduct and directed the Registrar to revoke his certificate.

In its written decision, the panel affirmed that “such behaviour represents an egregious breach of trust between a teacher and a student under his care. The member has therefore forfeited the privilege of holding a teaching certificate and being a member of the profession.”


Member: Richard William Cole
Registration No: 423638
Decision: Revocation

A Discipline Committee panel revoked the certificate of Rainbow District School Board teacher Richard William Cole related to a criminal conviction for copying sexually explicit photos from students’ computers and downloading pornography on his school-assigned computer during work hours.

Licensed to teach in February 2000, Cole did not attend the June 16, 2014, hearing but was represented by legal counsel.

On or about June 23, 2006, a school technician, while performing maintenance activities, found sexually explicit images on Cole’s computer. In addition to his teaching duties, Cole had a supervisory role of the operations of the school’s computer network.

A board technician later confirmed that Cole’s computer contained 379 sexually explicit pictures that he had copied from students’ computers. The technician also confirmed that Cole was surfing and downloading pornographic material on his work laptop.

In April 2013, the member voluntarily agreed to have his teaching certifi cate rescinded and pleaded guilty in the Ontario Court of Justice to interfering with the lawful use of data.

Having considered the evidence, onus and standard of proof, an agreed statement of facts, a joint submission on penalty, a guilty plea, and submissions of College counsel and counsel for the member, the Discipline Committee panel found the member guilty of professional misconduct, and directed the Registrar to revoke his Certificate of Qualification and Registration.

The panel found that “The member abused his position of authority by not reporting to administration that he found pornographic images in a student’s file” and “copied these images onto his school computer. He “also copied pornographic images, movies and explicit materials from other students’ pictures files.” Further, “the member’s conduct was unacceptable, disgraceful and illustrated an abuse of power and trust.”


Member: Karl Dreger, OCT
Registration No: 195939
Decision: Reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel directed Karl Dreger, a principal of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, to receive a reprimand in connection with a criminal conviction for altering a medical prescription.

Dreger, who was certified to teach in June 1995, attended the June 30, 2014, hearing, and was represented by a lawyer.

In October 2010, Dreger altered a medical prescription from 30 to 80 tablets of Percocet, leading the pharmacist to determine he had forged it. In February 2011, he was criminally charged and pleaded guilty to forgery in April of the same year.

The Discipline Committee panel found the member guilty of professional misconduct based on the evidence, onus and standard of proof, an agreed statement of facts, a joint submission on penalty, and a guilty plea.

He was directed to appear before the panel immediately following the hearing to receive a reprimand. As well, the member was ordered to complete a pre-approved course at his own expense regarding professional ethics.

In its written decision, the panel said, “The member altered a medical prescription … this is unethical and unacceptable behaviour for a member of the teaching profession."


Member: Not identified
Decision: Reprimand, suspension, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel suspended a Toronto District School Board teacher for one year for crossing the boundaries of professional teacher-student conduct.

The member, who was certified to teach in June 1993, attended the July 3, 2014, hearing without legal counsel.

Between June 2008 and January 2010, the member crossed the boundaries of professional teacher-student conduct by texting excessively with a student during late hours in the evening and during holidays, and referring to the student as “babe.”

Between February 2009 and January 2010, about 2,200 text messages were sent between the member and the student.

The member resigned from the board in January 2011 and has not been employed in the education sector since.

Based on the evidence, a statement of uncontested facts, a plea of no contest, a joint submission on penalty, and the submissions made by College counsel and the member, the panel found the member guilty of professional misconduct. She was ordered to appear before the panel to receive a reprimand following the hearing.

The member’s Certificate of Qualification and Registration was suspended from July 2, 2013 to July 2, 2014, for a period of one year. Furthermore, she was required to successfully complete, at her own expense, a pre-approved course of instruction covering appropriate boundaries with students and boundary violation issues.


Member: Milka Ivanova, OCT
Registration No: 493470
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel ordered Toronto District School Board elementary teacher Milka Ivanova to receive a reprimand, have her certificate suspended for one month and complete a course in classroom management skills at her own expense for inappropriately disciplining students.

Ivanova joined the teaching profession in August 2005. She attended the July 22, 2014, hearing with legal counsel.

During the 2008–09 and 2009–10 academic years, Ivanova was required to attend classroom management courses and anger management counselling for forcibly grabbing students, putting Scotch Tape over their mouths and directing them to sit or kneel on the floor using their seats as desks, as a discipline measure. She also placed a heater within reach of her students, causing a student to burn his hand.

Ivanova was also required to move to another school.

During the 2012–13 school year, the board suspended her for 10 days without pay for pushing a student after he and another student threw a pencil at each other.

Having heard the evidence, onus and standard of proof, an agreed statement of facts, a joint submission on penalty, a guilty plea and the submissions of legal counsel, the panel found Ivanova guilty of professional misconduct.

The panel noted that publication with her name was appropriate in the circumstances, given the young age of the students, the seriousness of her actions and her continued pattern of behaviour despite having received previous warnings and a discipline letter from her board.


Member: Not identified
Decision: Conditions

A Discipline Committee panel ordered a Toronto District School Board teacher to complete coursework in classroom management to maintain an effective learning environment for students.

The member, who was licensed to teach in June 1988, attended a June 5, 2014, hearing with legal counsel. The member admitted that he failed to keep a record of students’ marks in the school board’s computerized record system during the 2006–07 school year and, on one occasion, improperly offered daily physical activity to students.

Based on the evidence, a statement of uncontested facts, a plea of no contest, a joint submission on penalty, and the submissions of legal counsel, the Discipline Committee panel found the member guilty of professional misconduct. He was ordered to complete a pre-approved course in classroom management, with an emphasis on organizational and recordkeeping skills, conducted one-on-one and at his own expense within 120 days of the date of the order. He also has to provide written proof to the Registrar within 30 days of its successful completion.

The panel said the allegations were on the low end of the spectrum and reflected conduct that occurred seven years ago. Further, the member had no prior misconduct in a 26-year career.


Member: Not identified
Decision: Reprimand

A Discipline Committee panel reprimanded a Wabaseemoong Education Authority teacher for professional misconduct.

Licensed to teach in June 1992, the member attended the July 29–30, 2013, and April 17, 2014, hearings with a representative.

During the 2010–11 school year, the member interrupted a class in progress to retrieve some boxes and engaged in a verbal altercation with the class’s teacher and one of her students. The incident was reported to the school administration.

Having considered the evidence, onus and standard of proof, the member’s plea and the submissions of College counsel and the representative for the member, the Discipline Committee panel found the member guilty of professional misconduct, and ordered that she appear before the panel immediately following the hearing to receive a reprimand.

The panel found that the member did not set a professional example in front of students and a colleague. In its written statement, the panel noted, “The reprimand by her peers and on behalf of the profession will act as a specific deterrent to the member … [Publication] of the findings and order of the Committee, in summary, without the name of the member provides general deterrence to the profession and informs the public that there is a consequence for this type of conduct.”


Member: Dennis Alan McDermott
Registration No: 240529
Decision: Revocation

Discipline Committee panel revoked the certificate of Dennis Alan McDermott, a Peel District School Board teacher, in connection with a criminal conviction for sexual exploitation.

Certified in June 1978, McDermott did not attend the June 5, 2014, hearing, nor was he represented by legal counsel.

The panel heard evidence that, in July 2012, the member had an inappropriate personal relationship and sexual relationship with a former female student.

In April 2013, he was sentenced to 30 days imprisonment and 12 months of probation.

Having considered the evidence, onus and standard of proof, and the submissions of College counsel, the panel found McDermott guilty of professional misconduct and directed the Registrar to revoke his certificate.

The panel agreed with the Honourable Justice P. Tetley in his judgment, who stated that “While the incident in question occurred after the student/teacher relationship had expired and the complainant in the matter had graduated, those facts do little to diminish the seriousness of the offence.’’

In its written decision, the panel called McDermott’s conduct “unacceptable and in conflict with the duty of a teacher to protect students.’’


Member: Alex Stanley Owen
Registration No: 333745
Decision: Revocation

A Discipline Committee panel revoked the certificate of former Scarborough District School Board teacher Alex Stanley Owen in connection with a criminal conviction for indecent assault of a child and possession of child pornography.

Certified in June 1959, Owen, who retired from teaching at the board in 1987, represented himself, but chose not to attend the July 9, 2014, hearing.

Owen acknowledged that, on seven to 10 occasions, he fondled a child’s penis by reaching inside his pants. These assaults took place between 1962 and 1967, while the child was in his care. In addition, Owen admitted possessing 9,600 unique images of child pornography.

In August 2012, he pleaded guilty to indecent assault of a child and possession of child pornography. In October of the same year, he received two conditional sentences of 12 months and six months, to be served consecutively, followed by two years of probation.

A prohibition order is in place for five years to ensure that he is not in the presence of any child under 16.

Having considered the evidence, onus and standard of proof, and the submissions of College counsel, the panel found Owen guilty of professional misconduct and directed the Registrar to revoke his Certificate of Qualification and Registration.

In its written decision, the panel said that Owen “has brought the profession into disrepute and has lost the trust of the public.’’


Member: Not identified
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel suspended the teaching certificate of a College member for massaging a student’s foot.

The member, who was certified to teach in June 1983, attended the June 10, 2014, hearing, and was not represented by a lawyer.

Between October 2011 and July 2012, the member — with the consent of his student’s parents — had weekly meetings with his student who had an individual education plan. Arrangements with the parents were made to have these meetings at the member’s home and at the school’s library.

The panel heard that during these meetings the member touched the student’s foot. The member stated that this was part of his professional technique intended to assist with sensory processing. However, the member failed to provide the student’s parents with information about this technique.

The Discipline Committee panel found the member guilty of professional misconduct based on the evidence, onus and standard of proof, a statement of uncontested facts, a joint submission on penalty, a plea of no contest, and legal submissions. The member was directed to appear before the panel to receive a reprimand. The panel also directed the Registrar to suspend the member’s Certificate of Qualification and Registration for one month beginning on June 10, 2014. As well, the member was ordered to complete two pre-approved courses at his own expense regarding appropriate boundaries and boundary violation issues, and on the instruction of students with special education issues.

In its written decision, the panel said, “the professional misconduct relates to the fact that the member did not communicate clearly with the parents prior to employing the techniques with their child … Publication of the findings in summary form, without the name of the member, will be sufficient to meet the needs of specific and general deterrence.”


Member: Rowan Edwin Seymour, OCT
Registration No: 194351
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel suspended the teaching certificate of Lakehead District School Board principal Rowan Edwin Seymour and reprimanded him in connection with a criminal conviction for repeatedly smuggling prohibited devices not permitted under the Customs Act.

Seymour, who was certified to teach in June 1990, attended the January 30, 2014, hearing with his lawyer.

Between August 1, 2010, and June 11, 2011, Seymour entered Canada from the United States by vehicle with replica firearms, handguns, assault rifles, sniper rifles and submachine guns. He smuggled these items into the country so that his underage son could use them for a sport called Airsoft and sell them.

In June 2012, he pleaded guilty to one smuggling charge and was sentenced to 12 months of probation and fined $5,000. The court also required him to participate in lectures to students with respect to the dangers of possession and use of replica firearms. He complied with this requirement and resigned from the board on June 21, 2012.

The Discipline Committee panel found Seymour guilty of professional misconduct based on the evidence, onus and standard of proof, an agreed statement of facts, a joint submission on penalty, a guilty plea, and legal submissions.

He was ordered to face the panel following the hearing to receive a reprimand. The Discipline Committee panel directed the Registrar to suspend Seymour’s Certificate of Qualification and Registration for two months beginning on June 22, 2012. As well, Seymour was ordered to complete a pre-approved course at his own expense regarding ethical expectations of teachers and education leaders.

In its written decision, the panel said, “It is important to indicate to the profession and the public that behaviour that breaches the standards of the profession will be sanctioned appropriately by the College, even if the behaviour occurs outside of the classroom.”


Member: Douglas Kenneth George Thompson, OCT
Registration No: 437151
Decision: Reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel reprimanded Halton District School Board teacher Douglas Kenneth George Thompson for making discriminatory comments and displaying a discriminatory attitude.

The member, who was certified to teach in August 2000, attended the July 3, 2014, hearing, and was represented by a lawyer.

From September to November 2010, Thompson made discriminatory comments toward students with disabilities, displayed a discriminatory attitude toward students with respect to their sexual orientation, and expressed negative comments to students and parents about the school and the administration.

The panel heard that he was saying that students were unlikely to achieve academic success, and that his students were of generally low intelligence. He was also speaking negatively about a student’s chances of being admitted to postsecondary studies.

In February 2011, the board disciplined Thompson and ordered him to complete a six-session course on establishing and maintaining appropriate boundaries with students.

The Discipline Committee panel found the member guilty of professional misconduct based on the evidence, onus and standard of proof, a statement of uncontested facts, a joint submission on penalty, a plea of no contest, and legal submissions.

The member was directed to appear before the panel immediately following the hearing to receive a reprimand. The member was also ordered to complete a pre-approved course at his own expense regarding boundary violation issues within 90 days of the order.

In its written decision, the panel said, “discriminatory comments regarding sexual orientation and disabilities warrant publication with name and will not be tolerated by the profession.”


Copies of the full decisions are available at: oct.ca