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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: Not identified
Decision: Reprimand, conditions
A Discipline Committee panel directed a Limestone District School Board teacher to receive a reprimand regarding a verbal incident with a male student.
The member, who was certified to teach in June 2004, attended the hearing on November 24, 2014, with his legal counsel.
On March 7, 2012, the member was informed by the vice-principal that a colleague overheard a male student bullying another student. The bullied student expressed his anxiety and worries to the member about seeing the bully in class.
Later that day, the member saw the student who engaged in bullying in the hallway and used language that could be perceived as a threat toward the student. The student complained to the police and the member was charged with uttering a threat to cause bodily harm. The charge was withdrawn in October 2012 at the Crown’s request with the agreement that the member apologize in writing to the student.
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 immediately following the hearing. As well, the member was ordered to complete, at his own expense, a pre-approved course on effective communication strategies and management of difficult situations.
The Discipline Committee panel agreed that the misconduct was on the lower end of the spectrum and “determined that publication, without name, was appropriate in the circumstances of this case.”
Member: Brounislaw John Bulat
Registration No: 220172
Decision: Revocation
A Discipline Committee panel revoked the Certificate of Qualification and Registration of College member Brounislaw John Bulat in connection with five criminal convictions including attempted murder.
Licensed to teach in June 1969, Bulat did not attend the November 19, 2014, hearing nor was he represented by legal counsel. He is currently incarcerated and is serving a six-year sentence for his crimes.
The panel heard that Bulat harassed a former girlfriend and breached a restraining order to keep away from her. While driving his vehicle in the Town of Tecumseh in the Southwest Region, he rammed twice into a vehicle driven by the current boyfriend of his former girlfriend. When the boyfriend exited the vehicle, Bulat proceeded to run him over, causing bodily harm, and fled the scene. In May 2013, he was found guilty of a number of charges including attempted murder.
Having considered the evidence, onus and standard of proof, and submissions made by College counsel, the Discipline Committee panel found Bulat guilty of professional misconduct and directed the Registrar to revoke his Certificate of Qualification and Registration.
Member: John Bryant, OCT
Registration No: 399541
Decision: Reprimand, conditions
A Discipline Committee panel ordered Toronto District School Board teacher John Bryant to receive a reprimand for using inappropriate language and failing to supervise students.
Bryant, who was certified to teach in June 1990, did not attend the public hearing on November 20, 2014, but was represented by legal counsel.
The panel heard that, during the 2012–13 school year, Bryant used inappropriate language such as referring to a female student as a “bitch” and calling a male student a “cocky son of a bitch.” During a viewing of a movie in class, Bryant made a number of inappropriate comments including “You are fucking ugly,” “You are so fucking gay” and “You are a dumb ass.” Although the comments were directed at the movie and not at the students, they made some of the students feel uncomfortable.
Bryant also took students off school property in his personal vehicle without parental or administrative consent.
The board issued three letters of reprimand, suspending Bryant’s employment as a result of these incidents.
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 Bryant guilty of professional misconduct. He was ordered to appear before the panel to receive a reprimand, and was required to successfully complete, at his own expense, a pre-approved course of instruction covering professional ethics and professional boundaries.
In its decision, the panel said, “The member’s behaviour indicated a lack of professionalism with his use of profanity both in and outside the classroom. Further, the course on professional ethics and boundaries will remind the member that conduct such as leaving school property with students and without permission is unacceptable.”
Member: Michael Wade Canning, OCT
Registration No: 196582
Decision: Reprimand, conditions
A Discipline Committee panel reprimanded Durham Catholic District School Board transportation technology teacher Michael Wade Canning for failing to register a transfer of ownership of a vehicle donated to the Board, and transferring ownership into the name of a family member instead.
Canning, who was certified to teach in June 1995, attended the public hearing on February 19, 2015, with his legal counsel.
Canning was responsible for teaching students about automobiles, which he did by having students work on cars in the auto shop. People would donate their cars to the school and receive a receipt from the school with the estimated value of the car.
The panel heard that in or around March 2011, a donor gave a 1998 Toyota Camry to the school for which Canning provided a letter confirming receipt of the vehicle. Despite confirming receipt, Canning did not register a transfer of ownership of the vehicle to the board with the Ministry of Transportation.
About a year later, the member transferred the ownership into the name of his sister-in-law. He made two requests to the donor asking permission to do so but failed to disclose that the transfer had already taken place. In response to his requests, the donor made it clear that she would not consent to the transfer of ownership. Canning also took the vehicle home for two days.
In May 2012, the donor contacted the school principal and Canning was assigned to home duties. Three months later, he pled guilty under the Highway Traffic Act for failing to apply for a permit within six days of being an owner of a vehicle.
The panel found the member guilty of professional misconduct and ordered him to appear before the panel immediately following the hearing to receive a reprimand, and required that he successfully complete, at his own expense, a pre-approved course of ethics within three months of the order.
In its decision, the panel said, “The member lied to the donor about the transfer of ownership and he removed the vehicle from school property without the consent of the school or the donor ... [his] conduct was deceptive, unethical and lacked the professional integrity expected of all teachers.”
Member: Elisabetta Teresa De Santis, OCT
Registration No: 429783
Decision: Reprimand, conditions
A Discipline Committee panel directed Elisabetta Teresa De Santis, a College member employed by the Toronto District School Board, to receive a reprimand for using inappropriate language.
The member, who was certified to teach in August 1999, partly attended the December 9, 2014, hearing and was represented by legal counsel.
On or around February 2, 2012, De Santis used inappropriate language with a male student who required assistive technology in the classroom. The student and some classmates found the language derogatory, and five students reported the incident to the principal.
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 plea of no contest, a joint submission on penalty, and legal submissions.
The member was directed to appear before the panel to receive a reprimand within 60 days of the date of the hearing. As well, the member was ordered to complete a pre-approved course, at her own expense, on classroom management and sensitivity to students.
Member: Laird Arthur Evans
Registration No: 152133
Decision: Suspension
A Discipline Committee panel supended the certificate of Ottawa-Carleton District School Board’s teacher Laird Arthur Evans for storing real and replica weapons and ammunition in a school, and making them available to students.
Evans, who was certified to teach in June 1975, was not initially represented by a lawyer, and did not attend the hearing on October 22, 2014. He did not attend his hearing on November 3, 2014, but was represented by legal counsel. The panel ordered that the portion of the hearing dealing with Evans’s detailed medical evidence be closed.
While a teacher, Evans stored a collection of firearms including functional, deactivated and replica weapons, a rifle and a high capacity Uzi magazine at the school. He also permitted students to access the weapons at the school.
He was found guilty of possession of a firearm without a licence, contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada. He received a conditional discharge and was placed on probation for a period of 12 months.
The Discipline Committee panel found Evans 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 12 months from the date of the panel’s decision.
The panel noted Evans’s current state of health but also noted that he was not in poor health at the time of the events that led to these proceedings.
In its written decision, the panel said, “[He] may not have had ill-intentions when he committed the acts that gave rise to these proceedings; however, the member’s conduct was egregious and it endangered his students and his colleagues.”
Member: Laurene Elizabeth Green, OCT
Registration No: 167444
Decision: Reprimand, conditions
A Discipline Committee panel directed Laurene Elizabeth Green, a Toronto District School Board teacher, to receive a reprimand for misconduct. As an assistant curriculum leader for a school’s technology department, Green held a position of responsibility with the board.
Green, who was certified to teach in June 1992, attended the February 20, 2015, hearing and was represented by legal counsel.
The misconduct — which happened between 2009 and 2012 — included the removal of two workbenches from the school without authorization.
Green also requested that two arc welders be delivered to the school, then removed one of them and had her husband transport it to her home without authorization.
She then asked a teacher to mislead an investigator in relation to her taking the welder to her home. After the teacher refused to mislead the investigator, Green facilitated a telephone call from her husband to the same teacher in which the investigation was again discussed.
The removal of these items became the subject of a police investigation and Green was charged with theft, although the charges were subsequently withdrawn.
After the charges were withdrawn, she sent an accusatory text message to the teacher indicating that because of the teacher’s statement, Green’s employer wanted to fire her.
Following a board’s investigation, Green received a letter of reprimand, a five-day suspension without pay and was deemed to no longer be eligible to hold a position of responsibility.
The Discipline Committee panel found the member guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that she appear before the panel to receive a reprimand immediately after the hearing.
In addition, Green was directed to complete, at her own expense, a pre-approved course of instruction on ethical behaviour.
In its written decision, members of the panel said that “the reprimand is appropriate in the circumstances. It allows the profession to express its concerns to the member about her misconduct.”
Member: Stephan Sebastian Howard
Registration No: 138559
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions
A Discipline Committee panel reprimanded Toronto District School Board principal Stephan Sebastian Howard and ordered his certificate be suspended with conditions in connection with a criminal conviction for misappropriation of funds.
Howard, who was certified to teach in June 1990, attended the public hearing on November 20, 2014, with his legal counsel.
The panel heard that from 2004 to 2009, Howard authorized some inappropriate expenditure of funds that were not used for their intended purpose. For example, the school advisory council donated over $56,000 and gave specific directions for its use. About $35,700 was used as directed but some items — including the purchase of alcoholic beverages for staff events and payments for school staff members on leave —were not.
On October 13, 2009, the board superintendent directed Howard to be sent home pending an investigation. Howard submitted his resignation for the purpose of retirement on February 28, 2010.
In May 2013, he pleaded guilty for misappropriation of funds contrary to the Criminal Code. Howard paid $29,448.24 to the board in restitution. He received a conditional discharge and 12 months of probation.
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 Howard guilty of professional misconduct and directed the Registrar to suspend his Certificate of Qualification and Registration for 18 months starting on November 20, 2014.
Furthermore, Howard was ordered to appear before the panel following the hearing to receive a reprimand, and required to successfully complete, at his own expense, a pre-approved course of instruction covering professional ethics, which he has since completed.
In its decision, the panel said, “It was the member’s responsibility to manage non-board funds ethically, to keep and maintain proper accounting records and to ensure that the funds were used for the intended purposes, namely student programs and activities. The member failed to do so on a consistent basis.”
Member: David Khac Nhan Lang
Registration No: 527241
Decision: Revocation
A Discipline Committee panel revoked the teaching certificate of David Khac Nhan Lang for engaging in an inappropriate relationship with a student.
Lang, who was certified to teach in June 2008, did not attend the public hearing on December 15, 2014, nor was he represented by legal counsel.
The panel heard that Lang had an inappropriate relationship with a student whom he taught in the 2010-11 academic year. In the 2011-12 academic year, he was teaching at another school and no longer taught the student however, he continued to have a romantic relationship with her.
They saw each other about three to five times per week at parks, hotels, in his car or at the student’s home while her parents were away. They engaged in sexual touching and drank alcohol together. Over 9,000 text messages had been exchanged between the two from October 2011 to May 2012.
In May 2012, the student’s mother spoke with administrators at the board and the Children’s Aid Society.
The panel found Lang guilty of professional misconduct and directed the Registrar to revoke his Certificate of Qualification and Registration. The panel found that Lang’s conduct was inappropriate and unprofessional.
Member: Mary Roberta McEwen, OCT
Registration No: 282578
Decision: Reprimand, conditions
A Discipline Committee panel directed Mary Roberta McEwen, a former principal at Algoma District School Board, to receive a reprimand for failing to be ethical and professional in managing school and school board’s funds.
McEwen, who was certified to teach in January 1998, attended the November 20, 2014, hearing and was represented by a lawyer.
On numerous occasions during the 2012–13 school year — while managing funds related to, for example, a fundraising event or a breakfast and snack program — McEwen showed a lack of transparency in her administrative practices, which drew her conduct into question and undermined the respect and confidence that the public places on the role of principal.
For example, during her employment at Kiwedin Public School, McEwen purchased a bladeless fan for $90.35 for her office, using a $500 gift card obtained through parent council funding. She also purchased a D-Link modem for $109.98 using the school fund.
During an assignment at Spanish Public School, she used the board’s Purolator courier account for personal use, and purchased a few personal items in a grocery store while shopping for the school.
In February 2013, she was assigned to home duties with pay following a board investigation, and she resigned from the board in May 2013.
Based on the evidence, a memorandum of agreement (MOA), a joint submission on resolution and submissions made by both counsel, the Discipline Committee panel ratified the MOA and found the member guilty of professional misconduct. She was ordered to complete, at her own expense, a course on professional ethics.
In its written decision, the panel said, “It was the member’s responsibility as principal to manage funds ethically, and to keep and maintain proper accounting records.” The panel found that “the member was not transparent in her practices, nor did she seek advice or guidance to ensure appropriate procedures were followed.”
Member: Daniel James Meeker, OCT
Registration No: 253772
Decision: Reprimand, conditions
A Discipline Committee panel directed Daniel James Meeker, a teacher of the Thames Valley District School Board, to receive a reprimand for making harassing comments to a female colleague over a 12-month period.
The member, who was certified to teach in June 1989, did not attend the December 10, 2014, hearing but was represented by legal counsel.
During the 2006–07 school year, Meeker engaged in a romantic relationship with a female colleague that ended in or before 2007. During or around the period of October 2007 to September 2008, Meeker repeatedly engaged in behaviour toward this colleague that made her feel very uncomfortable at work, including: making repeated telephone calls to her home and her cellphone; and asking one or more co-workers “is he dead yet?” — referring to the colleague’s spouse who had suffered a brain hemorrhage.
In November 2008, the female colleague reported allegations of harassment to the police. Criminal charges against Meeker were ultimately dismissed. His employment was terminated by the board in May 2009. Meeker successfully grieved his termination and, in September 2012, returned to teaching.
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. As well, the member was ordered to complete a pre-approved course, at his own expense, on professional boundaries with colleagues, professional ethics and peer relationships.
In its decision, the panel said that the course “will serve to rehabilitate and educate the member.”
Member: Raymonde Marie-Lourdes Racines, OCT
Registration No: 478370
Decision: Reprimand
A Discipline Committee panel directed Raymonde Marie-Lourdes Racines, a teacher of the Conseil scolaire de district catholique Centre-Sud, to receive a reprimand for failing to properly supervise the students for whom she was responsible.
Racines, who was certified to teach in June 2004, attended the December 12, 2014, hearing and was represented by a lawyer.
During the 2010–11 school year, Racines failed to properly supervise students in her classroom. The school principal reported to the Children’s Aid Society (CAS) some troubling situations in which students had injured other students while they were in the member’s care. The CAS concluded that Racines had limited competence in the provision of care, endangering a child placed under her professional supervision.
The board terminated her employment on March 9, 2011. Based on the evidence, a memorandum of agreement (MOA), a guilty plea, a joint submission on resolution, and legal submissions, the Discipline Committee panel ratified the MOA and found the member guilty of professional misconduct. She was ordered to appear before the panel immediately following the hearing to receive a reprimand.
In its written decision, the panel said, “As a teacher, it is the member’s duty to maintain a healthy physical, emotional and social learning environment for her students.”
Member: Lucie Robitaille
Registration No: 261134
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions
A Discipline Committee panel suspended the teaching certificate of Lucie Robitaille, a former teacher of the Conseil scolaire de district catholique du Nouvel-Ontario, for showing significant deficiencies in her teaching practice.
Examples of deficiencies include:
Robitaille, who was certified to teach in June 1989, was not represented by a lawyer and did not attend the hearings that were held on September 29 and 30, 2014.
During the 2008–09 academic year, Robitaille disregarded the principal’s requests for changes in her teaching practice and demonstrated no significant improvements in her performance.
On March 23, 2009, she was suspended with pay. The board terminated her employment two months later on May 19, 2009.
The Discipline Committee panel found Robitaille guilty of professional misconduct based on the evidence, onus and standard of proof, and legal submissions by College counsel.
The panel ordered that her teaching certificate be suspended for one month and that she appear before the panel to receive a reprimand.
In addition, she was directed to enrol, at her own expense, in one or more courses covering the areas of deficiency, at the College Registrar’s discretion.
In its written decision, the panel said, “The profession must expose the type of conduct displayed by the member. Although it is unusual to make an order for both a suspension and a reprimand in the same case … the fact that she had support from her employer but decided to defy the latter’s instructions prompted the Committee to make an order for both of these penalties simultaneously.”
Member: Salvatore Scolaro, OCT
Registration No: 461628
Decision: Reprimand, conditions
A Discipline Committee panel directed Salvatore Scolaro, a transportation technology teacher of the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board, to receive a reprimand for mismanaging school funds.
The member, who was certified to teach in December 2002, attended the November 10, 2014, hearing and was represented by legal counsel.
Between September 2006 and June 2009, Scolaro used school funds — intended to support a program for students — to purchase auto parts for repairs on his vehicle and those of his family. He eventually reimbursed the school for these purchases but only after an audit was performed pointing out the irregularities.
He received a written reprimand by the school board. 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 plea of no contest, a joint submission on penalty, and legal submissions. The member 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, on professional ethics and record-keeping, which he has completed.
In its decision, the panel said that “the member’s unprofessional behaviour contributed to a significant deficit in the budget for the course ... the member’s actions as a teacher were completely unacceptable.”
Member: Not identified
Decision: Reprimand
A Discipline Committee panel directed a male teacher to receive a reprimand for making inappropriate comments to students and derogatory comments regarding the teaching practices of his colleagues.
The member, who was certified to teach in August 2001, attended the November 27, 2014, hearing and was represented by a lawyer.
During the 2010–11 school year, parents and students expressed their concerns to the school administration regarding the member’s mistreatment of students. In particular, they reported that the member:
The Jewish Family & Child Service conducted an investigation and concluded that the allegations were substantiated.
The member received a number of disciplinary actions by the board including home assignment, transfer and suspension. He was also required to complete a course on classroom management and complete anger management counselling sessions — which he completed successfully.
Based on the exhibits, a memorandum of agreement (MOA), a joint submission on resolution, a plea of no contest, and legal submissions, the Discipline Committee panel ratified the MOA and found the member guilty of professional misconduct. He was ordered to appear before the panel immediately following the hearing to receive a reprimand.
The panel also carefully considered the submissions of the parties with respect to publication with or without the name of the member in this section of the magazine. Panel members determined that publication without name is appropriate in the circumstances of this case. They found that “the resolution of this case sufficiently addresses the objectives of specific and general deterrence, while balancing the interests of transparency against the privacy interests of the member.”
In its written decision, the panel said, “Parents entrust teachers with the care of their children and through his inappropriate interaction with students, the member has disappointed parents, the profession and the greater public.”
Member: Karen Anne Timmons
Registration No: 253539
Decision: Reprimand, conditions
A Discipline Committee panel directed Karen Anne Timmons, a former vice-principal of the Ottawa Catholic School Board, to receive a reprimand for failing to manage funds ethically and maintaining proper accounting records.
Timmons, who was certified to teach in June 1988, attended the December 12, 2014, hearing and was represented by a lawyer.
On September 16, 2011, Timmons was recorded via video surveillance, on two separate occasions, removing money from an envelope in a room that contained the safe. On one occasion, the amount of $200 was taken from the envelope. She was suspended with pay. She could not respond to the board when asked why she went back a second time. She admitted to theft and subsequently resigned from the board on October 25, 2012.
Based on the exhibits, a memorandum of agreement (MOA), a guilty plea, a joint submission on resolution, and legal submissions, the Discipline Committee panel ratified the MOA and found the member guilty of professional misconduct. She was ordered to appear before the panel immediately following the hearing to receive a reprimand, and was required to successfully complete, at her own expense, a pre-approved course of instruction in ethics.
In its written decision, the panel said, “As a vice-principal, the member was in a position of trust and added responsibility. The member had a duty to serve as a leader and role model for the students, teachers and the parents of her school, as well as the larger community and to manage funds ethically and to maintain proper accounting records. The member failed in this duty.”
Copies of the full decisions are available at oct-oeeo.ca/decisions.