Share this page
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. Where the name of an employer is withheld, it is typically to protect the identity of students or to comply with a publication ban ordered by a court or the tribunal. 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.
For a glossary of terms used in these summaries, please visit oct-oeeo.ca/DecisionGlossary.
Member: Carlo Gabriel Allarde
Registration No: 631341
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions
A Discipline Committee panel suspended the certificate of Carlo Gabriel Allarde for his involvement in the inappropriate administration of a Grade 3 Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) assessment.
He is a teacher employed by the Toronto District School Board.
Certified to teach in October 2012, Allarde attended the hearing on June 18, 2019, and was represented by legal counsel.
Allarde interfered with several students' independent completion of the EQAO test by writing in student booklets, circling keywords and drawing arrows to direct student attention to parts of questions and answers. This was in contravention of the instructions in the administration guide provided to him.
The Discipline Committee panel found Allarde guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his teaching certificate be suspended for two months. The panel also directed that he appear before it to receive a reprimand.
He must also successfully complete, at his own expense, a course in professional ethics. He needs to do so within 90 days of the decision.
In its written decision, the panel stated, "The Member jeopardized the reliability and integrity of the provincial testing process."
Member: Robert Armstrong
Registration No: 165530
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions, costs
A Discipline Committee panel suspended the certificate of Robert Armstrong, a teacher formerly employed by the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board, for disrespectful and aggressive behaviour.
This matter was heard by the panel on April 19, July 3, December 18-19, 2018, and April 15, 2019. Armstrong, who was certified to teach in May 1992, attended the hearing with his legal counsel.
Armstrong's misconduct revealed a pattern of inappropriate behaviour over a two-year period.
He repeatedly failed to control his anger. For example, he used physical force to pull a student away from a computer, and engaged in inappropriate interactions with his principal and a colleague.
The Discipline Committee panel found Armstrong guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his teaching certificate be suspended for six months. He was directed to appear before the panel to receive a reprimand. He needs to do so within 90 days of the panel's penalty decision.
The panel also ordered him to successfully complete, at his own expense, a course on anger management and awareness of how his behaviour impacts members of the school community, including students, parents, guardians, teachers, support staff and administrators. He needs to do so prior to returning to a teaching position or any position for which a Certificate of Qualification and Registration is required.
He was also ordered to pay the College $10,000 in costs, which must be paid within 12 months of the panel's order.
In its penalty decision, the panel stated, "Costs orders are compensatory, rather than punitive, in nature. Their purpose is to apportion the financial burden of discipline proceedings between the parties fairly."
The panel further stated, "Members of the teaching profession are expected to promote safe and supportive learning environments and to model appropriate and respectful behaviour."
Member: Cheri Lee Barwinski, OCT
Registration No: 265862
Decision: Reprimand, conditions
A Discipline Committee panel reprimanded Cheri Lee Barwinski, a principal at the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board, for inappropriate conduct.
Certified to teach in August 1995, Barwinski attended the hearing on July 8, 2019, and was represented by legal counsel.
Barwinski failed to take steps to investigate concerns about the potential abuse of a student and discouraged staff from reporting the concerns of potential abuse to the Children's Aid Society.
The Discipline Committee panel found her guilty of professional misconduct and directed that she appear before it to receive a reprimand.
Within 120 days of the decision, she must also successfully complete, at her own expense, a course on the obligation to report on potential abuse.
In its written decision, the panel stated, "School principals must fulfil the role and responsibilities entrusted to them and be role models for teachers."
Member: Robert Gérard Couture
Registration No: 620877
Decision: Revocation
A Discipline Committee panel revoked the certificate of Robert Gérard Couture for a criminal conviction related to theft.
Prior to becoming a member of the College, Couture was the parish priest at Ste-Anne's Parish church in Tecumseh, Ont.
After he became a member of the College, he was found guilty of theft over $5,000 in relation to his time at the church. He was sentenced to 10 months in jail and ordered to make restitution to the church in the amount of $75,000.
Certified to teach in June 2011, Couture did not attend the hearing on August 13, 2019. He was not represented by legal counsel.
The Discipline Committee panel found Couture guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his Certificate of Qualification and Registration be revoked.
In its decision, the panel stated, "The College's Ethical Standards for the Teaching Profession require teachers to uphold the highest standards of trust and integrity. These ethical standards encompass honesty, reliability and moral action. The Member's criminal conviction for theft is a clear breach of these standards."
Member: Kyla Helen Cowan
Registration No: 580740
Decision: Revocation, reprimand
A Discipline Committee panel revoked the teaching certificate of Kyla Helen Cowan for engaging in an inappropriate personal and sexual relationship with a male student. She was a teacher formerly employed by the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board.
Among other inappropriate behaviour, she exchanged pictures of a sexual nature with the student and had sexual contact with him.
Certified to teach in August 2009, Cowan did not attend the hearing on August 2, 2019. She did not have legal representation.
She was convicted in a criminal court of one count of sexual assault and was sentenced to 90 days' custody, to be served intermittently, and to two years' probation. She was also made subject to a number of ancillary orders.
The Discipline Committee panel found Cowan guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that her Certificate of Qualification and Registration be revoked. The panel also ordered that she receive a reprimand.
In its decision, the panel stated, "Her behaviour was disgraceful, dishonourable, unprofessional and unbecoming of a member."
Member: Richard Graham Douglas
Registration No: 492321
Decision: Revocation, reprimand
A Discipline Committee panel revoked the teaching certificate of Richard Graham Douglas for sexually abusing a female student. He was formerly employed by a private school in Toronto.
Douglas engaged in a sexual relationship with the student, which included kissing and touching her in a sexual manner.
Certified to teach in May 2005, Douglas did not attend the hearing on August 2, 2019, but was represented by legal counsel.
The Discipline Committee panel found Douglas 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 decision, the panel stated, "Engaging in this sexual relationship with a student was a violation of the Member's position of trust and authority and was completely inappropriate."
Member: Nicole Elizabeth Drakes, OCT
Registration No: 641071
Decision: Reprimand, conditions
A Discipline Committee panel reprimanded Nicole Elizabeth Drakes, an occasional teacher formerly employed by the Peel District School Board, for inappropriate conduct.
This matter was heard by the panel on July 18, 2019. Drakes, who was certified to teach in February 2013, attended the hearing with her legal counsel.
Drakes took a photograph of the back of a student's head and posted it on social media. She compared the student's image with a fictional gangster.
The Discipline Committee panel found Drakes guilty of professional misconduct and directed her to appear before it to receive a reprimand.
The panel also ordered her to successfully complete, at her own expense, a course(s) on professional boundaries/boundary violations (including student privacy) and cultural sensitivity. She must do so within 90 days of the panel's order.
In its written decision, the panel stated, "Taking and posting a photograph of a student was a violation of the student's privacy."
Member: Sheryl Anna Jean Fontaine
Registration No: 215175
Decision: Revocation, reprimand
A Discipline Committee panel revoked the teaching certificate of Sheryl Anna Jean Fontaine, a teacher formerly employed by the Upper Canada District School Board, for sexually abusing a female student.
Certified to teach in August 1996, Fontaine did not attend the hearing on July 9, 2019, but had legal representation.
Fontaine engaged in an inappropriate personal relationship with the student. Her misconduct includes:
The Discipline Committee panel found Fontaine guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that her Certificate of Qualification and Registration be revoked. The panel also directed that she receive a reprimand no later than 120 days after the date of the hearing.
In its decision, the panel stated, "As teachers are entrusted with the care of students, there is no place in the profession for members who sexually abuse students."
Member: Jamie Clark Gerald Gardiner
Registration No: 471222
Decision: Revocation, reprimand
A Discipline Committee panel revoked the teaching certificate of Jamie Clark Gerald Gardiner for voyeurism and making child pornography. He was a teacher formerly employed by the Thames Valley District School Board.
Certified to teach in September 2003, Gardiner did not attend the hearing on July 18, 2019. He had no legal representation.
Gardiner surreptitiously videotaped 20 female staff members and students assigned to the school, in various states of undress, in a staff change room and washroom at the school. He made the recordings by placing a backpack with a concealed camera on the floor of the change room, so as to capture the genital or buttock area of the victims.
He was sentenced in a criminal court to one year in custody for making child pornography, nine months in custody (concurrent) for voyeurism, and two years' probation. He was also made the subject of a number of ancillary orders.
The Discipline Committee panel found Gardiner 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 decision, the panel stated, "The Member's misconduct demonstrated a profound lack of judgment, violated any sense of public decency, and constituted a severe breach of public trust."
Member: Lorne John Gocking, OCT
Registration No: 443631
Decision: Reprimand, conditions
A Discipline Committee panel reprimanded Lorne John Gocking, a teacher employed by the District School Board of Niagara, for inappropriate conduct.
This matter was heard by the panel on June 11, 2019. Gocking, who was certified to teach in June 2001, attended the hearing with his legal counsel.
Gocking displayed a pattern of arriving to school late and failing to record his absences or provide emergency lesson plans despite warnings from the board. He also failed to supervise his class, which resulted in a student being injured.
The Discipline Committee panel found Gocking guilty of professional misconduct and directed him to appear before it to receive a reprimand.
The panel also ordered him to successfully complete, at his own expense, a course on classroom management, with an emphasis on effective supervision. He must do so within 90 days of the panel's order.
In its written decision, the panel stated, "Members of the teaching profession are responsible for the safety of students."
Member: James Robert Goodfellow, OCT
Registration No: 280324
Decision: Reprimand, conditions
A Discipline Committee panel reprimanded James Robert Goodfellow, a teacher at the Upper Canada District School Board, for inappropriate conduct.
Certified to teach in November 1997, Goodfellow attended the hearing on June 11, 2019, and was represented by legal counsel.
Goodfellow's inadequate control of his classroom led to dangerous situations that placed students at risk.
The Discipline Committee panel found Goodfellow guilty of professional misconduct and directed that he appear before it to receive a reprimand.
Within 90 days of the decision, he must also successfully complete, at his own expense, a course on classroom management.
In its written decision, the panel stated, "The coursework will remind the Member of his obligations as a teacher and will help him to make better decisions in any future interactions with students."
Member: Robert Charles Griffin
Registration No: 154691
Decision: Revocation
A Discipline Committee panel revoked the teaching certificate of Robert Charles Griffin, a College member who was convicted of possessing child pornography.
Certified to teach in June 1977, Griffin did not attend the hearing on June 18, 2019. He did not have legal representation.
Griffin possessed a vast collection of child pornography, which depicted vulnerable children in brutally compromising positions.
He received a 15-month custodial sentence, adjusted for pretrial custody, and a three-year probation order. He was also made subject to a number of ancillary orders.
The panel found Griffin guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his Certificate of Qualification and Registration be revoked.
In its decision, the panel stated, "Members of the teaching profession who possess child pornography severely compromise the reputation of the profession, and undermine the trust and confidence that the public places in members of the profession."
Member: John Victor Laing
Registration No: 501108
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions
A Discipline Committee panel suspended the certificate of John Victor Laing, a teacher employed by the Thames Valley District School Board, for a pattern of inappropriate conduct with his colleagues.
Certified to teach in June 2006, Laing did not attend the hearing on June 12, 2019, but was represented by legal counsel.
His inappropriate conduct includes:
He was charged with harassment, but the charges were subsequently withdrawn by way of a peace bond.
The Discipline Committee panel found Laing guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his teaching certificate be suspended for four months. The panel also directed that he appear before it to receive a reprimand. He needs to do so within 90 days of the panel's order.
He must also successfully complete, at his own expense, a course on boundary violations and appropriate workplace communications. He needs to do so within 120 days of the panel's order.
In its written decision, the panel stated, "Members of the teaching profession are expected to maintain respectful boundaries with colleagues and to interact with all members of the school community in a respectful and appropriate manner."
Member: Michael James Molnar
Registration No: 578579
Decision: Revocation, reprimand
A Discipline Committee panel revoked the teaching certificate of Michael James Molnar, a teacher formerly employed by the District School Board of Niagara, for sexually abusing a female student.
Certified to teach in September 2009, Molnar did not attend the hearing on June 12, 2019, nor was he represented by legal counsel.
He was found guilty in a criminal court of one count of sexual exploitation.
Molnar also engaged in an inappropriate personal relationship with two other students.
The Discipline Committee panel found Molnar guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his Certificate of Qualification and Registration be revoked. The panel also directed that he receive a reprimand.
In its decision, the panel stated that it "denounces the Member's misconduct in the strongest terms."
Member: Shawn Douglas Oakes
Registration No: 487204
Decision: Revocation, reprimand
A Discipline Committee panel revoked the teaching certificate of Shawn Douglas Oakes, a teacher formerly employed by the Grand Erie District School Board, for sexually abusing a male student.
Oakes also engaged in an inappropriate personal relationship with the student.
He was convicted of sexual interference and sentenced to two years less a day in custody, three years' probation and was made subject to a number of ancillary orders.
The Member was further convicted of three counts of breach of an undertaking or recognizance given to the court and was sentenced to 90 days' custody, to be served concurrently with the first sentence.
Certified to teach in June 2005, Oakes did not attend the hearing on July 22, 2019, nor was he represented by legal counsel.
The Discipline Committee panel found Oakes guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his Certificate of Qualification and Registration be revoked. The panel also directed that he receive a reprimand.
In its decision, the panel stated, "The Committee denounces the Member's egregious misconduct in the strongest terms."
Member: Raymond William Oliphant
Registration No: 432576
Decision: Revocation
A Discipline Committee panel revoked the teaching certificate of Raymond William Oliphant for criminal convictions. He was a teacher formerly employed by the Greater Essex County District School Board.
Oliphant engaged in a long-term pattern of criminal harassment and intimidation of a woman. For example, he drove by her house more than 100 times. He would deliberately drive by the house slowly at various times of the day and night.
In a criminal court, he was convicted of one count of criminal harassment and one count of watching and besetting. He was sentenced to 12 months in custody.
Certified to teach in June 2001, Oliphant did not attend the hearing on August 26, 2019, nor was he represented by legal counsel.
The Discipline Committee panel found Oliphant guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his Certificate of Qualification and Registration be revoked.
In its decision, the panel stated, "Members of the teaching profession who criminally harass, threaten and stalk persons severely compromise the reputation of the profession, and undermine the trust and confidence that the public places in members of the profession."
Member: Mark Harold Eugene Phillips
Registration No: 495277
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions
A Discipline Committee panel suspended the teaching certificate of Mark Harold Eugene Phillips for inappropriate conduct.
At the time of the allegations, Phillips was a learning consultant employed by the Conseil scolaire catholique Providence.
Phillips, who was certified to teach in July 2005, attended the hearing by conference call on July 22, 2019. He had legal representation.
Phillips drank heavily during an evening social event at a professional conference and then sexually harassed two colleagues by touching them inappropriately.
The Discipline Committee panel found Phillips guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his certificate be suspended for four months. He was also directed to appear before the panel to receive a reprimand.
In addition, he was ordered to complete a course of instruction, at his own expense, regarding professional ethics, including the ethical implications of excessive consumption of alcohol in a professional setting. He needs to do so within 90 days after the panel's order.
In its written decision, the panel stated, "The fact that the Member's actions occurred during a social event at a professional conference excuses neither his drinking to excess nor his inappropriate behaviour toward his colleagues."
Member: Michael William Edward Riley
Registration No: 452747
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions
A Discipline Committee panel suspended the teaching certificate of Michael William Edward Riley, a teacher formerly employed by the Algonquin & Lakeshore Catholic District School Board, for inappropriate personal relationships with two female students.
Riley, who was certified to teach in June 2002, attended the hearing on June 24, 2019. He had legal representation.
Riley engaged in inappropriate communications both in person and by electronic means with both students. He did so over a significant period of time. The communications included personal details about his health and the students' personal lives.
He also spent time alone with one of the students, gave her a birthday gift and gave her hugs.
In addition, he told one of the students that he was having thoughts and feelings about her that he should not be having.
The Discipline Committee panel found Riley guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his certificate be suspended for six months. He was also directed to appear before the panel to receive a reprimand.
In addition, he was ordered to complete a course of instruction, at his own expense, regarding boundary violations. He needs to do so prior to starting any teaching position or position requiring a Certificate of Qualification and Registration.
In its written decision, the panel stated, "The Member took advantage of [his] privileged position [as a teacher] by failing to maintain professional boundaries with students that he knew were vulnerable (because they had confided in him regarding their personal issues)."
Member: Ghada Sadaka, OCT
Registration No: 206624
Decision: Reprimand
A Discipline Committee panel reprimanded Ghada Sadaka, a former principal employed by the York Region District School Board, for inappropriate conduct.
Sadaka posted Islamophobic and xenophobic comments and links on her private Facebook account.
This matter was heard by the panel on December 17, 2018. Sadaka, who was certified to teach in March 1993, attended the hearing with her legal counsel.
The Discipline Committee panel found Sadaka guilty of professional misconduct and directed her to appear before it to receive a reprimand. She needs to do so within 90 days of the panel's order.
The panel acknowledged the fact that Sadaka undertook an equity course voluntarily after making the inappropriate posts, and that she demonstrated a real desire to reform her practice and learn from her mistakes.
In its written decision, the panel stated, "To be clear, the Member is entitled to freedom of thought, but when she engages in public political expression while identifying herself as a school principal (as she did on her Facebook page), she represents the educational community and the profession as a whole. Her Facebook posts fell short of her responsibilities as an educator to maintain a learning environment free of bias."
Member: Chantal Louise Villeneuve Mason, OCT
Registration No: 612513
Decision: Reprimand, conditions
A Discipline Committee panel reprimanded Chantal Louise Villeneuve Mason, a teacher employed by the Upper Canada District School Board, for inappropriate conduct.
This matter was heard by the panel on June 12, 2019. Villeneuve Mason, who was certified to teach in June 2011, did not attend the hearing but had legal representation.
Villeneuve Mason submitted false benefit claims to the board's benefits provider for health-care services purportedly received by her. The total amount claimed was $1,201.40.
The Discipline Committee panel found Villeneuve Mason guilty of professional misconduct and directed that she receive a reprimand.
The panel also ordered her to successfully complete, at her own expense, a course in ethical standards for the teaching profession. She must do so within 90 days of the panel's order.
In its written decision, the panel stated, "Through her unethical conduct, the Member demonstrated a lack of integrity that undermines the reputation of the teaching profession."
Copies of the full decisions are available at oct-oeeo.ca/decisions.