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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: Darren Le Roy Blew
Registration No: 285597
Decision: Suspension, reprimand,
conditions
A Discipline Committee panel suspended the certificate of Darren Le Roy Blew, a retired teacher formerly employed by the Thames Valley District School Board, for inappropriate conduct
Blew engaged in a repeated pattern of inappropriate physical contact with multiple students. His conduct made students feel very uncomfortable as he invaded their personal space in an inappropriate manner.
This matter was heard by the panel on December 18, 2017. Blew, who was certified to teach in June 1998, did not attend the hearing. He had legal representation
The Discipline Committee panel found him guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his teaching certificate be suspended for three months. He was reprimanded by the panel.
The panel also ordered that he successfully complete, at his own expense, a course on boundary violations. He needs to do so prior to starting a teaching position or any position for which a Certificate of Qualification and Registration is required.
In its written decision, the panel stated, “Members of the teaching profession hold a unique position of trust and authority. They are expected to maintain appropriate professional boundaries with students and to foster safe and supportive learning communities.”
Member: Patricia Rose Brace
Registration No: 479565
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions
A Discipline Committee panel suspended the certificate of Patricia Rose Brace, a teacher formerly employed by the Peel District School Board, for a wide range of inappropriate conduct.
Brace’s inappropriate conduct includes:
This matter was heard by the panel on December 19, 2017. Brace, who was certified to teach in August 2004, attended the hearing. She had legal representation.
The Discipline Committee panel found her guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that her teaching certificate be suspended for four months. She was directed to appear before it to receive a reprimand.
The panel also ordered her to successfully complete, at her own expense, a course on boundary violations. She needs to do so prior to starting employment for which a Certificate of Qualification and Registration is required.
In its written decision, the panel stated, “The coursework will remind the Member of her duties and obligations as a teacher and will help her to make better decisions in any future interactions with students.”
Member: Nancy Elizabeth Crouse
Registration No: 101052
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions
A Discipline Committee panel suspended Nancy Elizabeth Crouse, a teacher with the Peel District School Board, for engaging in a repeated pattern of neglect and dishonesty in her teaching practices.
Certified to teach in June 1987, Crouse did not attend the hearing on October 3 and 4, 2016, nor was she represented by legal counsel.
Her misconduct includes falsifying marks, misleading her principal as to what tests and other assignments she administered, and not respecting ministry and board guidelines regarding assessment and evaluation.
The Discipline Committee panel found Crouse guilty of professional misconduct and suspended her Certificate of Qualification and Registration for one month. She was directed to appear before the panel to receive a reprimand prior to accepting a teaching position.
She must also successfully complete, at her own expense, a professional ethics course and a course on the assessment and evaluation of students.
In its decision, the panel stated, “The Member showed a clear disregard for the well-being of her students [and] jeopardize[d] their post-secondary future success.”
Member: Danuta Debich
Registration No: 471823
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions
A Discipline Committee panel suspended the certificate of Danuta Debich, a teacher employed by the Thames Valley District School Board, for engaging in the inappropriate administration of the Grade 3 Mathematics EQAO assessment in a French Immersion setting.
Debich helped students answer questions correctly, read questions for some students, translated some words or phrases from French to English, allowed students to take a nutrition break, and prompted some students to change their answers.
This matter was heard by the panel on January 30, 2018. Debich, who was certified to teach in October 2003, attended the hearing and had legal representation.
The Discipline Committee panel found her guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that her teaching certificate be suspended for three months. She was directed to appear before it to receive a reprimand.
The panel also ordered her to successfully complete, at her own expense, a course on professional ethics. She needs to do so within 90 days of the order.
In its written decision, the panel stated, “The improper administration of the EQAO test jeopardized the reliability of the provincial testing process.”
Member: Angelo D’Ostilio
Registration No: 593074
Decision: Reprimand, conditions
A Discipline Committee panel reprimanded Angelo D’Ostilio, a teacher formerly employed by the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, for engaging in a repeated pattern of rude, inappropriate and insensitive conduct and failing to comply with a prior agreement with the College to complete a course.
Certified to teach in June 2010, D’Ostilio attended the hearing on October 10, 2017. He represented himself.
D’Ostilio made students feel uncomfortable, inferior and used disrespectful and demeaning language when purportedly trying to motivate them. He subsequently resigned his position with the board.
He also failed to comply with an agreement with the College to complete, at his own expense, an accredited Additional Basic Qualification or Additional Qualification course focusing on lesson planning, curriculum/lesson delivery, classroom management, communication, and evaluation and assessment.
The Discipline Committee panel found D’Ostilio guilty of professional misconduct and directed that he appear before it immediately after the hearing to receive a reprimand. In addition, he must successfully complete the course he had previously agreed to complete prior to commencing or returning to a teaching position.
In its decision, the panel stated, “The agreed upon coursework that has been ordered in this case will cover many areas of the Member’s teaching practice and it will serve a rehabilitative function.”
Member: Matthew Newton Elms
Registration No: 437149
Decision: Revocation, reprimand
A Discipline Committee panel revoked the teaching certificate of Matthew Newton Elms, a teacher with the Toronto District School Board, in connection with a criminal conviction.
Certified to teach in August 2000, Elms did not attend the hearing on November 15, 2017. He did not have legal representation.
Elms engaged in inappropriate personal and sexual relationships with Student 1 and Student 2, provided alcohol and marijuana to Student 1 and bought gifts for Student 2.
Elms was found guilty of one count of sexual exploitation of Student 2 and was sentenced to imprisonment for two years less one day followed by three years’ probation. The Discipline Committee panel found Elms guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his Certificate of Qualification and Registration be revoked. The panel also ordered him to appear before it to receive a reprimand. He must do so within 90 days of the order.
In its written decision, the panel stated, “The Member has abused his position of trust and authority in the gravest manner.”
Member: Beverley Albert Fisher
Registration No: 467999
Decision: Resignation-cancellation, reprimand
A Discipline Committee panel ordered that Beverley Albert Fisher, a teacher formerly employed by the Bluewater District School Board, be reprimanded for inappropriate conduct.
Fisher, who was certified to teach in July 2003, did not attend the hearing on December 5, 2017, but had legal representation.
Fisher engaged in a pattern of unprofessional behaviour. Over the course of several years, he repeatedly made inappropriate comments to students, which made them uncomfortable.
His conduct continued despite restrictions and boundaries that were imposed by his board, which eventually ended his employment.
Fisher resigned his membership with the College and undertook not to reapply without having successfully completed a course on boundaries and boundary violations.
The Discipline Committee panel found him guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that he appear before it to receive a reprimand. He needs to appear before the panel within 120 days of the order’s date.
In its written decision, the panel stated, “Receiving the reprimand from a group of his peers is intended to make the Member aware of how grievous his behaviour was, and the impact of his misconduct on his students.” The panel members are “satisfied that the public will be adequately protected.”
Member: William Andrew S. Fraser
Registration No: 242449
Decision: Revocation
A Discipline Committee panel revoked the teaching certificate of William Andrew S. Fraser, a retired teacher formerly employed by the then Huron County Board of Education (now the Avon Maitland District School Board), for engaging in a sexual relationship with a student.
Certified to teach in May 1976, Fraser did not attend the hearing on June 14, 2016. He had legal representation.
Fraser engaged in a sexual relationship with a student when she was a young girl. Then, 21 years after his last contact with the student, he re-victimized her by making unwanted email contact. Five years after that, he made an unwelcome visit to her place of employment.
In criminal court, he pleaded guilty to one count of indecent assault. He received a conditional sentence of 12 months and three years’ probation.
The Discipline Committee panel found Fraser guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his Certificate of Qualification and Registration be revoked.
In its written decision, the panel stated, “The member has brought shame and disrepute to the profession through his abuse of power and his sexual, physical, psychological and verbal abuse of a student.”
Member: Stéphane Gilbert
Registration No: 426921
Decision: Revocation
A Discipline Committee panel revoked the teaching certificate of Stéphane Gilbert, a teacher with the Conseil scolaire de district catholique Centre-Sud (now the Conseil scolaire catholique MonAvenir), for engaging in a sexual relationship with a student.
Gilbert, who was certified to teach in May 1999, did not attend the hearing on November 14, 2017, nor was he represented by legal counsel.
He kissed, embraced and held hands with a student on several occasions.
The panel found Gilbert guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his Certificate of Qualification and Registration be revoked. The panel found that revocation was the appropriate penalty notwithstanding the fact that Gilbert’s certificate had previously been revoked for engaging in a similar relationship with another student.
In its decision, the panel stated, “This penalty serves as notice to the profession that the consequences of such misconduct are serious, even if the Member in question has already resigned, retired or whose certificate has been revoked in a prior hearing.”
Member: Peter Frank Gumulak, OCT
Registration No: 533579
Decision: Reprimand, conditions
A Discipline Committee panel reprimanded Peter Frank Gumulak, a teacher employed by the Grand Erie District School Board, for disregarding warnings from the school administration.
Gumulak let his students work on a wall to teach them how to repair drywall.
He did so despite warnings from the school administration and maintenance personnel. The warnings included that no structural work could be done in any classroom without notifying the head custodian because of the possible presence of asbestos.
This matter was heard by the panel on May 27, 2016. Gumulak, who was certified to teach in July 2008, attended the hearing. He had legal representation.
The Discipline Committee panel found him guilty of professional misconduct and directed him to appear before it to receive a reprimand.
The panel also ordered that he successfully complete, at his own expense, a course on safety procedures and maintaining a safe classroom environment. He needs to do within 90 days of the order.
In its written decision, the panel stated, “The member was aware of the presence of asbestos at the School. Based on his expertise as a [teacher], he should have displayed greater knowledge of the applicable procedure under such circumstances.”
Member: Robert Lubowieski Lutczyk
Registration No: 508910
Decision: Revocation
A Discipline Committee panel revoked the teaching certificate of Robert Lubowieski Lutczyk, a former teacher with the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board and the Durham Catholic District School Board, in connection with a criminal conviction.
Certified to teach in June 2006, Lubowieski Lutczyk did not attend the hearing on November 21, 2017, nor was he represented by legal counsel.
The panel heard that the member’s case involved the commission of multiple very serious offences, such as kidnapping someone at gunpoint and possessing a prohibited or restricted firearm.
A criminal court sentenced him to eight years and four months of incarceration and made other ancillary orders.
The Discipline Committee panel found him guilty of professional misconduct and directed the Registrar to revoke his Certificate of Qualification and Registration.
In its written decision, the panel stated, “Although not directly related to the education setting or the school community, the Member’s criminal conduct has undermined the public’s trust and confidence in the teaching profession.”
Member: Leo Edward Montgomery
Registration No: 164928
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions
A Discipline Committee panel suspended the certificate of Leo Edward Montgomery, a retired teacher formerly employed by the Toronto District School Board, for inappropriate conduct.
Montgomery developed an inappropriate, personal relationship with a student. For example, he exchanged personal, electronic messages with her, sent pictures of himself, took her for coffee, meals and a movie, and went to her home at 2 a.m. (although the student did not let him in).
This matter was heard by the panel on December 12, 2017. Montgomery, who was certified to teach in June 1986, attended the hearing. He had legal representation.
The Discipline Committee panel found him guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his teaching certificate be suspended for 16 months. He was also directed to appear before it to receive a reprimand.
The panel also ordered him to successfully complete, at his own expense, a course on professional boundaries and boundary violation issues. He needs to do so prior to returning to teaching or any position for which a Certificate of Qualification and Registration is required.
In its written decision, the panel stated, “The College’s Professional Advisory [Maintaining Professionalism — Use of Electronic Communication and Social Media] advises members to avoid exchanging private texts, phone numbers, personal email addresses or photos of a personal nature with students.”
Member: Geoffrey James Orton
Registration No: 256166
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions
A Discipline Committee panel suspended the teaching certificate of Geoffrey James Orton, a teacher with the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board, for repeated instances of inappropriate and unprofessional conduct.
This matter was heard by the panel on November 21, 2017. Orton, who was certified to teach in June 1996, attended the hearing with his legal counsel.
Orton discussed inappropriate personal information with his students. He told his students about parties he attended and mentioned a conversation he had with a female who he then realized was a prostitute. He also made multiple inappropriate comments that were insulting and insensitive to students.
Orton’s misconduct was serious and repeated, and it continued despite several warnings and disciplinary measures from the school board.
The Discipline Committee panel found Orton guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his teaching certificate be suspended for eight months. He was directed to appear before the committee to receive a reprimand.
The panel also ordered him to successfully complete, at his own expense, a course regarding appropriate boundaries and boundary violation issues. He must do so prior to starting or returning to a teaching position or any position for which a Certificate of Qualification and Registration is required.
In its written decision, the panel stated, “The Committee is concerned that the Member’s misconduct continued despite the numerous warnings that he received.”
Member: Joshua John Pallot
Registration No: 585902
Decision: Revocation, reprimand
A Discipline Committee panel revoked the teaching certificate of Joshua John Pallot, a former teacher with the Algoma District School Board, in connection with a criminal conviction.
Certified to teach in April 2010, Pallot attended the hearing on November 8, 2017, via video conference. He represented himself.
Pallot engaged in a personal and sexual relationship with a student.
In criminal court, he was found guilty of one count of sexual exploitation. He also breached his bail conditions on multiple occasions by communicating with the student on Twitter.
He was sentenced to 330 days’ incarceration and three years’ probation. He was also sentenced an additional 30 days’ custody for breaching his bail condition, and was made subject to a number of ancillary orders.
The Discipline Committee panel found Pallot guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his Certificate of Qualification and Registration be revoked. The panel also ordered that he receive a reprimand.
In its written decision, the panel stated, “The Committee is gravely concerned with the Member’s misconduct. His sexual abuse of a student was egregious and completely unacceptable.”
Member: Jeffery David Rafael
Registration No: 215131
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions
A Discipline Committee panel suspended the teaching certificate of Jeffery David Rafael, a former teacher with the Greater Essex County District School Board, for bringing drugs onto school property and failing to maintain appropriate boundaries.
This matter was heard by the panel on November 2, 2017. Rafael, who was certified to teach in August 1996, did not attend the hearing, but had legal representation.
Rafael stored marijuana in his van on school property. When he had students clean his van, he made the marijuana accessible to them. He also made inappropriate remarks and inappropriately touched a student.
The Discipline Committee panel found Rafael guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his teaching certificate be suspended for 12 months. He was directed to appear before it to receive a reprimand. He must do so within four months of the date of the order.
The panel also ordered him to successfully complete, at his own expense, a course or courses regarding appropriate boundaries and boundary violation issues, and professional ethics. He must do so prior to starting or resuming a teaching position or any position for which a Certificate of Qualification and Registration is required.
In its written decision, the panel stated, “The Committee is disturbed by the fact that the Member knowingly stored the drugs in his van to which students had access and that students could see the marijuana cigarettes, which showed the Member’s blatant disregard for the well-being and safety of his students.”
Member: Michael Albert Russell
Registration No: 255758
Decision: Revocation, reprimand
A Discipline Committee panel revoked the teaching certificate of Michael Albert Russell, a teacher with the Peel District School Board, for sexually abusing a student.
Russell engaged in a personal and sexual relationship with a student.
Certified to teach in August 1986, Russell did not attend the hearing on November 29, 2017, but was represented by legal counsel.
The Discipline Committee panel found Russell guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his Certificate of Qualification and Registration be revoked.
The panel also ordered that he receive a reprimand.
Member: David Norman Shackleton
Registration No: 438357
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions
A Discipline Committee panel suspended the certificate of David Norman Shackleton, a former teacher with the Peel District School Board, for a repeated pattern of inappropriate conduct.
This matter was heard by the panel on December 5, 2017. Shackleton, who was certified to teach in July 2000, attended the hearing with his legal counsel.
Shackleton failed to maintain appropriate professional boundaries with students on several occasions. Among other things, he touched students inappropriately on their backs, shoulders, heads, hands and waists. He also placed his hand under a student’s shirt and rubbed her back.
Shackleton had a history of inappropriate conduct, which resulted in previous board discipline and College action.
The Discipline Committee panel found Shackleton guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his teaching certificate be suspended for two months. He was directed to appear before the committee to receive a reprimand.
The panel also ordered him to successfully complete, at his own expense, a course regarding boundary violations. He must do so prior to starting a teaching position or any position for which a Certificate of Qualification and Registration is required.
In its written decision, the panel stated, “Although the Member is currently retired, the suspension will serve as a general deterrent to other members of the profession by informing them that there are serious consequences for engaging in misconduct similar to that of the Member.”
Member: Darcy Robert Steele
Registration No: 437495
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions
A Discipline Committee panel suspended the certificate of Darcy Robert Steele, a College member and former teacher with a school board in Alberta, for unprofessional and criminal conduct.
This matter was heard by the panel on December 5, 2017. Steele, who was certified to teach in June 2000, did not attend the hearing. He had no legal representation.
He pleaded guilty to two counts of assault in relation to a domestic situation.
He also engaged in inappropriate and abusive classroom conduct over the course of about six months. Among other things, he yelled at one or more students and used inappropriate language. He kicked furniture such as to cause injury to one or more students and threw or batted objects in the direction of one or more students.
The Discipline Committee panel found Steele guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his teaching certificate be suspended for two years. He was directed to receive a reprimand.
It also ordered him to successfully complete, at his own expense, a course regarding classroom management, including anger management and appropriate boundaries. He must do so prior to starting or returning to a teaching position or any position for which a Certificate of Qualification and Registration is required.
In its written decision, the panel stated, “Members of the teaching profession are expected to treat students with respect at all times and to provide them with a safe learning environment.”
Member: Mark Anthony Sypus
Registration No: 494536
Decision: Reprimand, conditions
A Discipline Committee panel reprimanded Mark Anthony Sypus, a College member formerly employed by the Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board, for his inappropriate comments.
Sypus made inappropriate comments to students, including commenting on their physical appearance.
This matter was heard by the panel on January 29, 2018. Sypus, who was certified to teach in November 2005, attended the hearing. He had legal representation.
The Discipline Committee panel found him guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that he appear before it to receive a reprimand.
It also ordered him to successfully complete, at his own expense, a course on appropriate communications with students and classroom management. He needs to do so prior to starting a teaching position or any position for which a Certificate of Qualification and Registration is required.
In its written decision, the panel stated, “Members of the teaching profession are expected to provide students with safe and supportive environments and to serve as role models.”
Member: Shahzad Vasta, OCT
Registration No: 445097
Decision: Reprimand, conditions
A Discipline Committee panel reprimanded Shahzad Vasta, a teacher employed by the Toronto District School Board, for inappropriate and threatening conduct.
Vasta yelled at and threatened young students as a result of a schoolyard incident involving them.
Criminal charges were laid and eventually withdrawn when Vasta entered into a peace bond.
This matter was heard by the panel on November 30, 2016. Vasta, who was certified to teach in June 2001, attended the hearing. She had legal representation.
The Discipline Committee panel found her guilty of professional misconduct and directed her to appear before it to receive a reprimand.
The panel also ordered that she successfully complete, at her own expense, a course on anger management and sensitivity issues with students. She needs to do so within three months of the order.
In its written decision, the panel stated, “As an adult and a professional, the Member was expected to keep her composure and to address the situation in a reasonable and professional manner.”
Member: Christine Jonelle Vellinga
Registration No: 424121
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions
A Discipline Committee panel suspended the certificate of Christine Vellinga, a principal employed by the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board, for her deceitful conduct in the administration of a provincial test.
Vellinga committed several irregularities in the administration of the Grade 10 Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT), and she directed staff and students to participate in these dishonest testing practices.
This matter was heard by the panel on January 26, 2018. Vellinga, who was certified to teach in June 1999, attended the hearing and had legal representation.
The Discipline Committee panel found her guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that her teaching certificate be suspended for six months.
She was directed to appear before the panel to receive a reprimand. It also ordered her to successfully complete, at her own expense, a course on ethical practice. She needs to do so within 90 days of the order.
In its written decision, the panel stated, “Members of the teaching profession are expected to act ethically and with integrity and to model that behaviour for staff and students.”
Member: Elizabeth Marie Von Eppinghoven, OCT
Registration No: 101450
Decision: Reprimand, conditions
A Discipline Committee panel reprimanded Elizabeth Marie Von Eppinghoven, a teacher with the Toronto District School Board, for inappropriate and unprofessional conduct on multiple occasions.
Certified to teach in October 1993, Von Eppinghoven attended the hearing on December 6, 2016, and was represented by legal counsel.
Her inappropriate conduct included throwing classroom objects at students, using profanity, and making inappropriate comments about certain students.
In addition, following some disagreements between her and parents at a school meeting, she shared her interpretation of parent comments made at the meeting with her class, which caused some students to interpret her words as negative comments about their parents.
The Discipline Committee panel found Von Eppinghoven guilty of professional misconduct and directed that she appear before it immediately after the hearing to receive a reprimand.
Within 120 days of the decision, she must also successfully complete, at her own expense, a course on professional boundaries.
In its written decision, the panel stated, “The coursework will remind the Member of her obligations as a teacher and will help her make better decisions in any future interactions with students.”
Copies of the full decisions are available at oct-oeeo.ca/decisions