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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. 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: Mirza Habeebullah Baig
Registration No: 445068
Decision: Revocation, reprimand

A Discipline Committee panel revoked the Certificate of Qualification and Registration of Mirza Habeebullah Baig for inappropriate conduct of a sexual nature toward three students. He was formerly employed by the York Region District School Board.

Baig was certified to teach in May 2001. He did not attend the hearing on August 19, 2020, but had legal representation.

Baig asked students questions about the size of their penises and their masturbation habits. This constitutes sexual abuse. The definition of sexual abuse includes behaviour or remarks of a sexual nature by a member toward a student.

He was convicted of sexual exploitation in a criminal court with respect to his communications with a student. He was given a suspended sentence, placed on probation for three years, and made the subject of a number of ancillary orders.

The Discipline Committee panel found him guilty of professional misconduct and directed the Registrar to revoke his Certificate of Qualification and Registration. The panel also directed that he receive a reprimand.

In its written decision, the panel stated, "The teaching profession does not tolerate the sexual exploitation of students by members and this type of criminal conduct clearly relates to a member's suitability to hold a teaching certificate."


Member: Katherine Linda Buswa
Registration No: 523574
Decision: Reprimand, conditions, costs

A Discipline Committee panel ordered that Katherine Linda Buswa receive a reprimand for engaging in conduct unbecoming a member of the teaching profession. She is a teacher who was employed by the Moose Factory Island District Area School Board.

Certified to teach in August 2007, Buswa did not attend the hearing on June 8, 2020. She was not represented by legal counsel.

Buswa attended school under the influence of alcohol and scheduled an extracurricular event without permission.

The Discipline Committee panel found Buswa guilty of professional misconduct and directed that she appear before the panel to receive a reprimand. She must also successfully complete, at her own expense, a course regarding professional ethics. She needs to do both within 120 days of the panel's order.

Before she resumes or begins any teaching position, Buswa needs to undergo a physician's assessment. She was also ordered to pay the College $5,000 in costs, which must be paid within 120 days of the panel's order.

The panel found that it was appropriate to make a costs award as Buswa failed to engage in any way with the disciplinary process and failed to respond to College counsel's numerous communications. Consequently, her conduct lengthened the duration and increased the expense of the proceedings.

In its decision, the panel stated, "The Member's decision to attend school under the influence of alcohol and to schedule an extracurricular event without permission, undermined the trust and respect accorded to the teaching profession by parents, students and the public."


Member: Nathalie Marie-Rose Deault
Registration No: 470486
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel suspended the certificate of Nathalie Marie-Rose Deault for inappropriate conduct. She was formerly employed by the Conseil scolaire catholique du Nouvel-Ontario as an occasional teacher.

Certified to teach in August 2003, Deault attended the discipline hearing on September 1, 2020. She was represented by a paralegal.

Her conduct included:

The Discipline Committee panel found her guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that her teaching certificate be suspended for three months. She was also directed to appear before the panel to receive a reprimand.

The panel also ordered her to successfully complete, at her own expense, a course on ethics and professional responsibilities. She needs to do so prior to accepting any position that requires a Certificate of Qualification and Registration.

In its written decision, the panel stated, "Her unprofessionalism and lack of integrity undermine the reputation of the teaching profession."


Member: Spiro Grima
Registration No: 283720
Decision: Reprimand, undertaking to resign

A Discipline Committee panel ordered that Spiro Grima be reprimanded for verbally abusing students. He is a teacher formerly employed by the Thames Valley District School Board.

Certified to teach in June 1995, Grima did not attend the hearing on October 22, 2020, but was represented by legal counsel.

Grima singled out a student in front of the class and divulged that during parent-teacher interviews he learned that the student did not like him. Grima also yelled in class and spoke in a disparaging or degrading manner about other teachers in front of students.

He has prior discipline history with the College.

The Discipline Committee panel found Grima guilty of professional misconduct and directed that he appear before it to receive a reprimand.

The panel also accepted Grima's undertaking to resign as a member of the College and never to seek reinstatement of his Certificate of Registration and Qualification.

In its written decision, the panel stated, "Members must address students with respect and refrain from making mocking or personally embarrassing comments to students in front of their peers."


Member: David Benjamin Harrison
Registration No: 480168
Decision: Revocation, reprimand

A Discipline Committee panel revoked the teaching certificate of David Benjamin Harrison for sexually abusing a female student. He was formerly employed by the Annapolis Valley Regional Centre for Education in Nova Scotia.

Harrison engaged in an inappropriate personal and sexual relationship with the student. He picked up the student from work, drove around, and had intimate contact with her. The inappropriate physical and sexual contact included kissing her, touching her breasts, and putting his hands down her pants and touching her vagina.

Certified to teach in Ontario in June 2004, Harrison did not attend the hearing on April 22, 2020, and did not have legal representation.

In a criminal court, he pleaded guilty to and was convicted of sexual exploitation of the student. He was sentenced to a 90-day custodial sentence, to be served intermittently, followed by four months of probation. He was also made subject to several ancillary orders.

The Discipline Committee panel found Harrison 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, "Members hold a unique position of trust and authority. They are expected to serve as role models as they are responsible for the well-being, safety and development of their students. It is egregious for teachers to sexually abuse their students."


Member: Siew Kee Rosa Lim
Registration No: 211972
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel suspended the certificate of Siew Kee Rosa Lim for engaging in verbal, physical and psychological or emotional abuse of her students, and for behaving inappropriately toward colleagues. She did so despite prior warnings from the school board.

Lim was formerly employed by the Toronto District School Board as an occasional teacher.

This matter was heard by the panel on September 11, 2020. Lim, who was certified to teach in May 1989, did not attend the hearing but had legal representation.

Her inappropriate conduct included yelling at students, making abusive comments to students and hitting a student on his hand with the pointy edge of a binder.

The Discipline Committee panel found her guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that her teaching certificate be suspended for six months. She was also directed to receive a reprimand.

The panel also ordered her to successfully complete, at her own expense, a course regarding professional ethics, anger management and cultural sensitivity. She needs to do so prior to starting or resuming any 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 profession are expected to conduct themselves in a composed and professional manner and they must not resort to the inappropriate use of physical force against students."


Member: Anthony Ross
Registration No: 192730
Decision: Revocation, reprimand

A Discipline Committee panel revoked the teaching certificate of Anthony Ross, a teacher formerly employed by the York Region District School Board, for sexually abusing a male student.

Certified to teach in June 1992, Ross was represented by legal counsel. Neither Ross, nor his counsel, attended the hearing on August 10, 2020.

In a criminal court, Ross pleaded guilty to assault and admitted to touching the student's forearms without the student's consent.

In the College proceeding, Ross did not contest that he grabbed the student's breast with his hand and squeezed it for about 30 seconds, ran his index finger up and down a vein in the student's bicep, and made unwelcome comments to the student about his body.

Ross received a conditional sentence for a period of 12 months from the criminal court and was confined to his home for the first four months.

He has prior discipline history with the College.

The Discipline Committee panel found Ross 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 unwelcome and intrusive touching of the Student is physically abusive."


Member: Jason Andre Mark Snider, OCT
Registration No: 534312
Decision: Reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel reprimanded Jason Andre Mark Snider, a teacher formerly employed by the York Region District School Board, for inappropriate conduct.

This matter was heard by the panel on August 28, 2020. Snider, who was certified to teach in May 2008, did not attend the hearing, but had legal representation.

Snider openly disregarded his board's decision to deny his absence request and used his personal sick days to attend an event in Costa Rica, in contravention of board policy.

He also misused sick leave benefits to travel to the United States and participate in a business conference on behalf of a distributor of health and wellness products.

The Discipline Committee panel found Snider guilty of professional misconduct and directed him to appear before it to receive a reprimand.

It also ordered him to successfully complete, at his own expense, a course regarding professional ethics. He must do so within 90 days of the panel's order.

In its written decision, the panel stated, "Members are expected to use sick leave benefits in accordance with Board policies and not to take advantage of sick leave policy to take personal trips."


Member: Danielle Elizabeth Speck
Registration No: 675989
Decision: Revocation, reprimand

A Discipline Committee panel revoked the teaching certificate of Danielle Elizabeth Speck for sexually abusing a female student. Formerly employed by the District School Board of Niagara, she was an occasional teacher.

Speck engaged in an inappropriate personal and sexual relationship with the student. Her conduct included touching the student's vagina and breasts over her clothes, kissing, and holding hands with the student.

Certified to teach in August 2016, Speck did not attend the hearing on September 21, 2020, and did not have legal representation.

In a criminal court, she pleaded guilty to and was convicted of one count of sexual interference with the student. She received a six-month conditional sentence followed by three years' probation.

The Discipline Committee panel found Speck 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, "Teachers are expected to serve as positive role models as they are responsible for the well-being, safety and development of students."


Member: Carine Larissa Tchoutizo Tadontsop
Registration No: 654449
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel suspended the teaching certificate of Carine Larissa Tchoutizo Tadontsop for verbally, physically, and psychologically or emotionally abusing students. She was formerly employed by the Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est as an occasional teacher.

Tadontsop, who was certified to teach in November 2014, attended the hearing on August 21, 2020. She had legal representation.

Her misconduct included:

The Discipline Committee panel found Tadontsop guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that her certificate be suspended for two months. She was also directed to appear before the panel to receive a reprimand.

In addition, she was directed to complete a course of instruction, at her own expense, regarding anger management and classroom management. She needs to do so within 120 days of the panel's order.

In its written decision, the panel stated, "The Member's conduct damaged the reputation of the teaching profession."


Member: Christian Hervé Tchuente
Registration No: 626957
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel suspended the certificate of Christian Hervé Tchuente for inappropriate conduct. He was a teacher employed by the Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est as an occasional teacher.

Certified to teach in August 2012, Tchuente attended the hearing on May 13, 2020, with his legal counsel.

Tchuente used a laptop loaned by his school to access dating sites and post highly private, personal messages on them. The laptop was in his office where students could have accessed the content. In addition, the member used his work computer to access pornographic videos saved on his own Cloud-computing space.

The Discipline Committee panel found Tchuente guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his teaching certificate be suspended for eight months. The panel also directed that he appear before it to receive a reprimand.

Tchuente must also successfully complete, at his own expense, a course regarding professional ethics, including the responsible use of technology in the professional setting. He needs to do so within 90 days of the panel's order.

In its written decision, the panel stated, "His conduct damaged the reputation of the teaching profession."


Member: Fredrick Isaiah Valdez, OCT
Registration No: 457677
Decision: Reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel reprimanded Fredrick Isaiah Valdez, a teacher employed by the Avon Maitland District School Board, for unprofessional conduct.

This matter was heard by the panel on July 28, 2020. Valdez, who was certified to teach in June 2002, did not attend the hearing, but had legal representation.

Valdez failed to call 911 when he received information that a student required medical attention and suggested to the school's health nurse that he drive the student to the hospital himself.

The Discipline Committee panel found Valdez guilty of professional misconduct and directed him to appear before it to receive a reprimand.

It also ordered him to successfully complete, at his own expense, a course on effective supervision with a focus on individualized student needs. He must do so within 90 days of the panel's order.

In its written decision, the panel stated, "Members of the profession must prioritize the safety of students and follow appropriate procedures to ensure student safety."


Member: David James Waud
Registration No: 184669
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel suspended the certificate of David James Waud for inappropriate conduct and failing to display sensitivity to a student. He is a teacher formerly employed by the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board.

Certified to teach in June 1985, Waud did not attend the hearing on August 26, 2020, but was represented by legal counsel.

Waud failed to display sensitivity to a student's needs, excluded her from a class trip and failed to treat her equitably as a result.

The Discipline Committee panel found Waud guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his teaching certificate be suspended for three months. The panel also directed that he appear before it to receive a reprimand. He needs to do so immediately after the hearing or within 90 days of the panel's order.

He must also successfully complete, at his own expense, a course regarding classroom management prior to returning to teaching.

In its written decision, the panel stated, "Among other things, teachers are required to encourage pupils in the pursuit of learning. The Panel finds that by excluding the Student from the class trip, the Member undermined the learning of the Student, which was discouraging, and in direct opposition to the Member's duties."


Copies of the full decisions are available at oct-oeeo.ca/decisions.


Retroactive Revocation

As a result of recent amendments to the Ontario College of Teachers Act, the College has revoked the certificates of individuals who the Discipline Committee found to be guilty of an act of professional misconduct consisting of, or including, sexual abuse of a student or a prohibited act involving child pornography, and did not have their certificates previously revoked.

Affected individuals have been sent notices informing them of the revocation of their certificates and, when applicable, school board employers have also been notified. The public register has been updated to reflect these revocations.  The list below identifies affected individuals who are in a revoked status as of December 8, 2020: