Hearings

Three-member panels of the Discipline Committee conduct public hearings into cases of alleged incompetence or professional misconduct. Panels are composed of members of the public and the profession based on competencies. 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: Arthur Joseph Allore, OCT
Registration No: 179841
Decision: Reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel reprimanded Arthur Joseph Allore, a teacher employed by the Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board, for unprofessional conduct.

This matter was heard by the panel on December 3 and 18, 2020. Allore, who was certified to teach in June 1988, attended the hearing on December 18. He had legal representation.

Allore allowed a student to drive his truck, unsupervised, on school property for an outdoor school project. While the student drove Allore's truck, two other students jumped onto the back of the truck. He also engaged in communications of a personal nature with another student and did not report the same student's concerns about her safety and wellbeing to the school principal.

The Discipline Committee panel found Allore 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 covering professional boundaries. 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 expected to properly supervise their students and maintain professional boundaries in all forms of communication with students. This is vital to maintaining the public's trust."

Member: James Lindsay Ashwin
Registration No: 178187
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel suspended the certificate of James Lindsay Ashwin for unprofessional conduct. He is a teacher employed by the Toronto District School Board.

This matter was heard by the panel on January 11 and February 2, 2021. Ashwin, who was certified to teach in June 1991, did not attend the majority of the hearing and did not have legal representation.

His misconduct included:

being unaware of a student's identified learning exceptionality and being unfamiliar with the accommodations afforded to the student under his Individual Education Plan;
conducting himself in a discourteous manner and slamming the door on his way out of a meeting; and
engaging in unwelcome physical contact with a person who was doing a practicum teaching placement under Ashwin's supervision, and making a comment about hormones and human behaviour that made the person feel uncomfortable.

The Discipline Committee panel found him guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his teaching certificate be suspended for three months. He was also directed to receive a reprimand.

The panel also ordered him to successfully complete, at his own expense, a course or courses regarding maintaining professional and appropriate boundaries with colleagues, anger management, and ethical and professional responsibilities related to students with identified needs. He needs to do so within 90 days of the panel's order.

In its written decision, the panel stated, "Associate teachers are expected to serve as positive and professional role models for student teachers under their supervision."

Member: Pascal Pierre Germain Baillou
Registration No: 654364
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel suspended the certificate of Pascal Pierre Germain Baillou, an occasional teacher formerly employed by the Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est, for engaging in verbal, physical, and psychological or emotional abuse of his students. He did so despite his principal's advice and the disciplinary measures imposed by his board.

This matter was heard by the panel on January 11 and February 3, 2021. Baillou, who was certified to teach in March 2015, attended the hearing and had legal representation.

Baillou used unnecessary physical force and inappropriate verbal interventions with students. His inappropriate conduct included:

shouting at students;
pushing a student toward the cloakroom and pinching his back; and
grabbing a student by the neck, making him cry from the pain.

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

The panel also ordered him to successfully complete, at his own expense, a course in anger management and appropriate discipline. He needs to do so prior to resuming a teaching position or any position that requires a Certificate of Qualification and Registration.

In its written decision, the panel stated, "Aggravating factors in the Member's case are his aggressive behaviour and inappropriate classroom management, which were repeated on numerous occasions and involved a number of students."

Member: Timothy Edward Bradley
Registration No: 259944
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel suspended the teaching certificate of Timothy Edward Bradley for a pattern of insensitive, demeaning and unprofessional behaviour toward a teacher candidate.

Bradley, who was certified to teach in September 1993 and is employed by the London District Catholic School Board, attended the hearing on June 24, 2019, and had legal representation.

Bradley made a number of inappropriate comments about the teacher candidate's cultural background. He also embarrassed her in front of students and repeatedly made inappropriate contact with her, which the panel found to be harassing and sexual in nature.

The panel found Bradley guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his certificate be suspended for two months. He was directed to appear before it to receive a reprimand.

In addition, Bradley was directed to complete a course, at his own expense, on sensitivity and maintaining boundaries with colleagues. He needs to do so within 90 days of the panel's order.

In its written decision, the panel stated, "It is unacceptable for members of the profession to make unwanted advances or physical contact with their colleagues."

Member: Musualuendu Buyamba
Registration No: 424668
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel suspended the certificate of Musualuendu Buyamba for inappropriate conduct. He was employed by the Conseil scolaire Viamonde as an occasional teacher.

Certified to teach in August 1999, Buyamba attended the hearing on December 3, 2020, and January 19, 2021. He had no legal representation.

Buyamba intervened physically with two students and made inappropriate remarks to another student. The Discipline Committee panel found that his conduct showed poor professional judgment and was unnecessarily aggressive and discouraging to his young students.

The panel found Buyamba guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his teaching certificate be suspended for four months. The panel directed that he appear before it to receive a reprimand.

He must also successfully complete, at his own expense, a course in classroom management. He needs to do so prior to accepting any position for which a Certificate of Qualification and Registration is required.

In its written decision, the panel stated, "Teachers must behave professionally and respectfully at all times."

Member: Andrew Reuben Camani
Registration No: 236985
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel suspended the teaching certificate of Andrew Reuben Camani for intimidating conduct toward a colleague, who was also his superior. He is a teacher employed by the Grand Erie District School Board.

Camani, who was certified to teach in June 1991, did not attend the hearing on March 31, 2021. He had no legal representation.

Camani pried into his superior's past, sent emails under a pseudonym to the same superior's former colleagues and friends, and gave her inappropriate gifts and a poem. After the superior explained why the poem and gifts were inappropriate, and made it known to Camani that his feelings were not reciprocated, Camani persisted in harassing her, which undermined a respectful professional environment.

The Discipline Committee panel found Camani guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his certificate be suspended for four months. He was also directed to receive a reprimand.

In addition, he was directed to complete a course of instruction, at his own expense, regarding boundary violations. He needs to do so prior to starting or returning to teaching or any position requiring a Certificate of Qualification and Registration.

In its written decision, the panel stated, "Members are expected to maintain appropriate and professional boundaries with colleagues and superiors, and to uphold a safe and collegial work environment, which the Member failed to do by harassing [his colleague]."

Member: Kandis Denise Clark, OCT
Registration No: 198479
Decision: Reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel reprimanded Kandis Denise Clark, a teacher employed by the York Region District School Board, for unprofessional conduct.

This matter was heard by the panel on December 3 and 18, 2020. Clark, who was certified to teach in June 1991, attended the hearing on December 18, 2020. She was self-represented.

Clark submitted unsubstantiated health benefit claims to the board's benefits provider. The total amount claimed was $2,229.84.

She also permitted racially and culturally insensitive comments to be posted on her Facebook account. In doing so, she allowed disrespectful comments to be spread to the community at large.

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

It also ordered her to successfully complete, at her own expense, a course on ethical standards for the teaching profession with a focus on the responsible use of electronic communication and social media. She must do so within 90 days of the panel's order.

In its written decision, the panel stated, "Essentially, teachers must serve as positive role models and upstanding members of their communities."

Member: Christopher Seth Cond, OCT
Registration No: 434234
Decision: Reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel reprimanded Christopher Seth Cond, a teacher and coach employed by the Algoma District School Board, for failing to adequately supervise students.

This matter was heard by the panel on July 14, 2020. Cond, who was certified to teach in June 2000, attended the hearing and had legal representation.

Cond's supervisory responsibilities included following and enforcing policies of the board and the Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations, which exist to ensure student safety.

His misconduct included failing to follow policies and not advising his principal in a timely fashion when he learned about potential alcohol and drug use by students who were under his supervision.

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

The panel ordered him to successfully complete, at his own expense, a course regarding professional ethics with a focus on student supervision. He must do so within 120 days of the panel's order.

It also ordered him to not coach or participate in supervising any school-related team, sport or extracurricular activity, or any students from any school-related team, sport or extracurricular activity for 24 months.

In its written decision, the panel stated, "By failing to report students' alcohol and drug use to his principal, and by withholding information about the incident from the Board, the Member failed to act as a positive influence and to embody honesty and moral action."

Member: Aaron Allen Dale
Registration No: 656130
Decision: Revocation, reprimand

A Discipline Committee panel revoked the teaching certificate of College member Aaron Allen Dale for inappropriate conduct. He was a teacher in Surrey, United Kingdom (U.K.).

Certified to teach in July 2014, Dale attended the hearing on December 3, 2020 and January 29, 2021 with his legal counsel.

While working in the U.K., Dale used his personal laptop to search for websites and material involving sexual activity with children. As a result of this conduct, he was found to have committed professional misconduct by the U.K.'s Teaching Regulatory Authority and was prohibited from teaching indefinitely by the U.K.'s Secretary of State for Education.

The Discipline Committee panel found him 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, "By searching for websites and materials that involve sexual activity with children and that objectify and exploit children, the Member failed to behave as an appropriate role model."

Member: Patrick George Elliott
Registration No: 193581
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel suspended the certificate of Patrick George Elliott for criminal behaviour. He was a vice-principal formerly employed by the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board.

Certified to teach in June 1996, Elliott attended the hearing on March 9, 2021 and was represented by legal counsel.

Elliott forged documentation that was submitted to the United States (U.S.) Consulate in support of an application for U.S. citizenship; accepted a travel expense reimbursement from the board that he knew or ought to have known was for a personal expense; and provided a superintendent with teaching materials and answer guides without authorization.

In a criminal court, he was found guilty on two counts of knowingly causing the U.S. Consulate to use a forged document.

The Discipline Committee panel found Elliott guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his teaching certificate be suspended for 18 months. The panel also directed that he appear before it to receive a reprimand.

He must also successfully complete, at his own expense, courses in boundary violation issues with colleagues and ethical standards of practice. He needs to do so prior to resuming or starting a position for which a Certificate of Qualification and Registration is required.

In its written decision, the panel stated, "The Member's criminal and dishonest behaviour demonstrates a serious breach of the public's trust and undermines the reputation of the teaching profession."

Member: Shahin Fazl
Registration No: 445136
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions, costs

A Discipline Committee panel suspended the certificate of Shahin Fazl for inappropriate conduct. He was a teacher formerly employed by the Toronto District School Board.

Certified to teach in August 2001, Fazl did not attend the hearing on September 2, 2020. He had no legal representation.

His inappropriate conduct included:

engaging in sexual harassment of a colleague;
making inappropriate comments of a sexual nature to her;
sending inappropriate electronic communications to her; and
engaging in inappropriate physical and/or sexual contact with her.

Fazl had prior discipline history with the College for sexual harassment of another colleague.

The Discipline Committee panel found Fazl guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his teaching certificate be suspended for six months. The panel also directed that he receive a written reprimand.

Fazl must also successfully complete, at his own expense, a course in professional boundaries and professional ethics. He needs to do so within 120 days of the panel's order.

He was also ordered to pay the College $10,000 in costs within 120 days of the panel's order, considering, among other things, that Fazl refused to participate in the discipline process and was deliberately obstructionist in his communications with the College.

In its written decision, the panel stated, "The public's trust in the teaching profession is eroded when members model inappropriate behaviour in the school community, which in this case involved the sexual harassment of a colleague."

Member: Nolan Stuart Feldman
Registration No: 526066
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel suspended the certificate of Nolan Stuart Feldman for inappropriate conduct. He was a teacher formerly employed by the York Region District School Board.

Certified to teach in February 2008, Feldman did not attend the hearing on March 2, 2021. He did not have legal representation.

Feldman misappropriated medical leave by working in the restaurant industry while he was off work but still receiving a salary and benefits from the board.

The Discipline Committee panel found Feldman guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his teaching certificate be suspended for two months. The panel also directed that he receive a written reprimand.

He must also successfully complete, at his own expense, a course in professional ethics. He needs to do so prior to returning to teaching or to any position for which a Certificate of Qualification and Registration is required.

In its written decision, the panel stated, "The Member's use of his medical leave to engage in an economic venture in the restaurant industry is concerning and indicative of poor professional judgment."

Member: David Flitton, OCT
Registration No: 190997
Decision: Reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel reprimanded David Flitton, a teacher formerly employed by the Waterloo Catholic District School Board, for disgraceful, dishonourable or unprofessional conduct.

The panel heard this matter on December 3, 2020, and March 8, 2021. Flitton, who was certified to teach in June 1988, did not attend the hearing but had legal representation.

Flitton posted or shared racist and culturally insensitive content on his personal Facebook page that identified him as an employee of the board.

The Discipline Committee panel found him guilty of professional misconduct and directed him to receive a reprimand in writing.

The panel also ordered him to successfully complete, at his own expense, a course in professional boundaries/appropriate use of social media and cultural sensitivity. He must do so within 90 days of the panel's order.

In its written decision, the panel stated, "There is no place in the teaching profession for members to promote intolerance on social media."

Member: Sean Gacich
Registration No: 257000
Decision: Reprimand, undertaking to resign

A Discipline Committee panel ordered that Sean Gacich, a teacher formerly employed by the Toronto District School Board, be reprimanded for engaging in a concerning pattern of inappropriate conduct, which included making inappropriate comments to students and engaging in sexual misconduct.

Certified to teach in June 1992, Gacich attended the hearing on January 11 and March 1, 2021 with his legal counsel.

His misconduct included:

exposing students to behaviour or remarks of a sexual nature;
touching several students on their arms with a Freezie and saying "brrr";
making comments about the physical appearance of several female students that were inappropriate and offensive;
failing to respect the personal space of his female students by standing, sitting or leaning too close to them;
looking at female students in a manner that made them uncomfortable; and
accessing images of art depicting naked bodies from a board computer while at school during work hours.

The Discipline Committee panel found Gacich guilty of professional misconduct and directed that he receive a reprimand in writing.

The panel also accepted Gacich'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, "Teachers hold a unique position of trust and authority, and it is emotionally abusive for them to repeatedly fail to maintain appropriate boundaries with students in a way that makes the students feel uncomfortable at school. The Member's conduct therefore amounts to psychological or emotional abuse of students."

Member: Kimberly Elizabeth Kaiser
Registration No: 269695
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel suspended the certificate of Kimberly Elizabeth Kaiser for unprofessional conduct, despite multiple warnings and discipline from her employer. She was a teacher formerly employed by the District School Board of Niagara.

Certified to teach in November 1998, Kaiser attended the discipline hearing on February 17, 2021, with her legal counsel.

Kaiser repeatedly failed to adequately supervise her students or to demonstrate adequate care when students from her classes went missing or were unaccounted for while under her professional supervision. On at least one occasion, Kaiser failed to implement the appropriate emergency procedure regarding missing students.

By leaving her students unsupervised on multiple occasions, Kaiser did not maintain proper order in her class or at the school, and she jeopardized student safety.

She also made inappropriate comments about students to parents and about school administration to a colleague. She used a negative stereotype while discussing the classroom behaviour of two students with her colleagues.

Furthermore, Kaiser deflected her classroom management duties by telling one or more students to discuss a classmate's behaviour with their parents. She also demonstrated poor professional judgment by throwing an item across the classroom in the presence of a colleague.

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 the panel to receive a reprimand.

The panel also ordered her to successfully complete, at her own expense, a course in classroom management. She needs to do so prior to starting or resuming any teaching position or any position that requires a Certificate of Qualification and Registration.

In its written decision, the panel stated, "Members are expected to ensure that all students are safe while under their professional supervision and to model professionalism in their interactions with members of the school community, including when they speak about students to parents and colleagues."

Member: Shannon Lionel Kaye
Registration No: 574131
Decision: Revocation, reprimand

A Discipline Committee panel revoked the teaching certificate of College member Shannon Lionel Kaye for engaging in sexual activity with a female student on two occasions. On one occasion the sexual activity involved the student, the student's friend, the member, the member's girlfriend, and another individual.

Certified to teach in August 2009, Kaye did not attend the hearing on January 11 and April 1, 2021, and did not have legal representation.

Kaye was charged with sexual exploitation and sexual assault. He was also charged with two additional counts. He entered into a 12-month peace bond and all criminal charges were withdrawn.

The Discipline Committee panel found Kaye 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, "By engaging in such immoral and abhorrent conduct, the Member demonstrated a fundamental breach of his duties as a teacher."

Member: Gail Audrey Kuder, OCT
Registration No: 255943
Decision: Reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel reprimanded Gail Audrey Kuder, a teacher formerly employed by the Upper Grand District School Board, for unprofessional conduct.

This matter was heard by the panel on December 3 and 21, 2020. Kuder, who was certified to teach in June 1994, attended the hearing and had legal representation.

In an attempt to break up what she thought was a fight, Kuder grabbed and pulled the neck of a student's sweatshirt from behind without warning. Her miscalculation of the situation resulted in the student being surprised by Kuder's actions and caused the student to feel choked and afraid of her.

Kuder had previously engaged in inappropriate physical contact with students. 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 her to successfully complete, at her own expense, a course in professional boundaries. She must do so prior to resuming or starting a teaching position or any position requiring a Certificate of Qualification and Registration.

In its written decision, the panel stated, "The Member could have and should have first attempted to break up the fight using non-physical means. As such, her actions were contrary to the Ethical Standards."

Member: Ester Sonia Lancia, OCT
Registration No: 422776
Decision: Reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel reprimanded Ester Sonia Lancia, a teacher employed by the York Region District School Board, for dishonest conduct toward her employer.

This matter was heard by the panel on January 11 and February 23, 2021. Lancia, who was certified to teach in January 1999, did not attend the hearing but had legal representation.

Lancia travelled to Italy during a medical leave of absence without telling the board, neither at the time she booked the trip nor when she requested medical leave, that she would be abroad.

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

It also ordered her to successfully complete, at her own expense, a course in ethical practice within 90 days of the panel's order.

In its written decision, the panel stated, "As leaders and role models in their school communities, it is improper for members of the profession to engage in this type of misleading conduct."

Member: Valerie Lehotsky
Registration No: 400632
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel suspended the certificate of Valerie Lehotsky for inappropriate conduct. She was a teacher formerly employed by the Waterloo Region District School Board.

This matter was heard by the panel on January 11 and February 23, 2021. Lehotsky, who was certified to teach in June 1987, attended the hearing. She had legal representation.

Lehotsky grabbed, stepped on, yelled at, or otherwise physically interfered with students. She also sent students into the hallway without supervision.

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

The panel also ordered her to successfully complete, at her own expense, a course in professional boundaries within 120 days of the panel's order.

In its written decision, the panel stated, "By tapping students on the foot, toes, thigh and head, and pulling a student by the hood of his sweater, the Member failed to maintain the standards of the teaching profession."

Member: William Harvey Lister
Registration No: 245924
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel suspended the certificate of William Harvey Lister for verbally abusing students and engaging in other unprofessional conduct. He is a teacher employed by the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board.

This matter was heard by the panel on May 17, 2019, and November 3, 2020. Lister, who was certified to teach in June 1985, attended the penalty phase of the hearing. He had legal representation.

Lister repeatedly made inappropriate and misogynistic comments to students. He also made negative comments about feminism and women in general to students and on his personal Facebook page.

The Discipline Committee panel found him guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his teaching certificate be suspended for one month. He was directed to receive a reprimand.

The panel also ordered him to successfully complete, at his own expense, a course in maintaining appropriate professional boundaries with students. He needs to do so within 90 days of returning to teaching or commencing any position for which a Certificate of Qualification and Registration is required.

In its written decision, the panel stated, "The aggravating factors in the Member's case are the repeated nature of the inappropriate comments and the psychological or emotional harm that the Member's conduct has had on female students."

Member: Robert Vincent Louis Mancini
Registration No: 489260
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel suspended the certificate of Robert Vincent Louis Mancini for engaging in a concerning pattern of inappropriate and unethical conduct.

He was teaching in Switzerland and following the Ontario Ministry of Education curriculum.

Certified to teach in July 2005, Mancini attended the hearing with his legal counsel on January 11 and February 5, 2021.

Mancini's misconduct included:

telling his students that they could benefit from the time difference to gain early access to Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) questions. He claimed he had a friend who was able to access the questions ahead of the international testing date;
offering and charging students for off-campus tutoring lessons where he gave them direction on writing an essay for his class;
failing to provide students with materials and adequate support in their preparation for competitions;
failing to properly prepare interim report cards for his students by creating identical report cards for every student with only the name changed;
appropriating the work of other teachers without properly attributing the work to them;
having heated exchanges in his class with a student in front of his other students;
failing to adequately supervise students;
using profanity in class;
encouraging students to only write positive reviews about him in his evaluation and removing an unfavourable evaluation;
socializing with students on weekends at local bars, drinking alcohol with them, inviting students to his apartment for food, facials and alcohol, and inviting himself along on independent travel weekends with students; and
sharing, while intoxicated, sensitive information that a student had confided in him with his colleagues while smiling and giggling.

The Discipline Committee panel found Mancini guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his teaching certificate be suspended for six 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 boundary violations and professional ethics. He needs to do so within 120 days of the panel's order.

In its written decision, the panel stated, "By engaging in a pattern of inappropriate and unethical conduct, the Member was a poor role model for students, he jeopardized student safety, and he tarnished the reputation of the teaching profession."

Member: Nicholas Clark Oakley
Registration No: 672389
Decision: Revocation, reprimand

A Discipline Committee panel revoked the teaching certificate of Nicholas Clark Oakley, a teacher formerly employed by the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board for verbally, psychologically or emotionally, and sexually abusing female students.

Certified to teach in July 2015, neither Oakley nor his legal counsel attended the hearing on December 3 and December 15, 2020.

Oakley sent inappropriate electronic messages with sexual innuendoes to students and made sexual remarks to students. The Member also failed to maintain appropriate and professional boundaries with his subordinates.

The Discipline Committee panel found Oakley 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 definition of sexual abuse in the Act includes behaviour or remarks of a sexual nature by a member towards a student."

Member: Tina Opare, OCT
Registration No: 499225
Decision: Reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel reprimanded Tina Opare, a teacher employed by the Toronto District School Board, for unprofessional conduct.

This matter was heard by the panel on March 9, 2021. Opare, who was certified to teach in June 2006, attended the hearing and had legal representation.

Opare failed to fulfil her reporting duty after a student disclosed to her that other students were sexually harassing her by asking her for sexual favours and calling her a whore. Specifically, Opare misrepresented the information that had been communicated to her when she reported it to her vice-principal.

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

It also ordered her to successfully complete, at her own expense, a course in ethics, including the duty to report disclosures of sexual misconduct by students. She must do so within 90 days of the panel's order.

In its written decision, the panel stated, "Members of the profession must prioritize student safety and well-being and follow appropriate procedures when student disclosures about alleged sexual misconduct by other students are made to them."

Member: Barbara Jean Organ
Registration No: 197966
Decision: Revocation, reprimand

A Discipline Committee panel revoked the Certificate of Qualification and Registration of Barbara Jean Organ for sexually abusing a female student. She was formerly employed by the Lambton Kent District School Board.

Organ was licensed to teach in June 1992. She did not attend the hearing on December 3 and 11, 2020, but had legal representation.

Organ had an inappropriate personal relationship and a sexual relationship with the student that included living together as a couple. In a criminal court, she was found guilty of sexual exploitation of the student.

The Discipline Committee panel found Organ guilty of professional misconduct and directed the Registrar to revoke her Certificate of Qualification and Registration. The panel also directed that she appear before the committee to receive a reprimand. She needs to do so within 60 days of the panel's order.

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

Member: Christopher Allan Rollo
Registration No: 255009
Decision: Revocation, reprimand

A Discipline Committee panel revoked the teaching certificate of Christopher Allan Rollo, a teacher formerly employed by the Halton District School Board, for sexually abusing students.

Certified to teach in June 1992, Rollo did not attend the hearing on March 8, 2021, and had no legal representation.

Rollo engaged in inappropriate conduct, such as using the photos of a former student to pose as a teenage boy online to communicate with young females on social media sites, and engaging in online communications of a sexual nature with students. He also possessed child pornography.

In a criminal court, Rollo pleaded guilty to and was convicted of two counts of child luring and one count of possession of child pornography.

Rollo was sentenced to a total of 45 months' incarceration and was made subject to various ancillary orders.

The Discipline Committee panel found Rollo 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, "By engaging in such immoral and abhorrent conduct, the Member demonstrated a fundamental breach of his duties as a teacher."

Member: Judith M. Sincennes
Registration No: 283613
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel suspended the certificate of Judith M. Sincennes, a principal formerly employed by the Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est, for inappropriate conduct.

Certified to teach in January 1998, Sincennes attended the discipline hearing on December 3 and 15, 2020. She was represented by legal counsel.

Sincennes's conduct included:

frequent absences during an academic year without providing explanations for her absences. During her non-medical absences, she sometimes asked teachers to sign report cards, which was her own responsibility;
making inappropriate personal use of the credit card she was given to use for her professional duties;
claiming expenses more than once from the board;
issuing cheques in her name that drew on board funds without supporting documents;
exceeding the allocations for items including meals and coffee for school staff;
failing to notify her supervisor concerning a conflict of interest related to the hiring and remuneration of someone she knew; and
belittling staff members.

The Discipline Committee panel found her guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that her teaching certificate be suspended for five months. She was 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 professional ethics. She needs to do so within 90 days of the panel's order.

In its written decision, the panel stated, "Aggravating factors in the Member's case are the repeated nature of her misconduct in a variety of situations over several years."

Member: Joseph Keith Turner
Registration No: 245305
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel suspended the certificate of Joseph Keith Turner for inappropriate conduct. He was a teacher formerly employed by the Toronto District School Board.

Turner made inappropriate physical contact with a student by taking hold of the hood of his sweatshirt, which had the effect of "choking" the student as he tried to get away. Turner was previously disciplined by the College and the board for unnecessary use of physical force against students, among other things.

This matter was heard by the panel on March 25, 2021. Turner, who was certified to teach in June 1989, attended the hearing and had legal representation.

The Discipline Committee panel found him guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his teaching certificate be suspended for four months. He was directed to appear before the panel to receive a reprimand.

The panel also ordered him to successfully complete, at his own expense, a course in anger management. He needs to do so prior to returning to teaching.

In its written decision, the panel stated, "The aggravating factors in the Member's case are the fact that the Member has been the subject of College and Board discipline in the past and that he engaged in similar misconduct even after having received discipline letters from his Board seeking to address his concerning behaviour."

Member: Derek Martin Winer
Registration No: 495352
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel suspended the teaching certificate of Derek Martin Winer, a teacher formerly employed by the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board, for a pattern of deficiencies relating to his teaching, classroom management, recordkeeping and reporting. His conduct resulted in an Educational Assistant (EA) being physically injured.

Winer, who was certified to teach in November 2005, attended the hearing on February 26, 2021, with his legal counsel.

Winer's conduct included:

failing to provide adequate and structured classroom programming for his students and allowing them to watch an inappropriate cartoon in class;
allowing a student to call him "daddy" in class;
failing to accurately communicate classroom activities, student progress and student needs to parents and behavourial therapists;
failing to accurately and appropriately assess student progress, including making an inappropriate comment on a draft progress report;
failing to assist staff during student behavioural outbursts, while condoning and positively reinforcing negative behaviour, which escalated situations within the class resulting in physical injury (bruises and a torn shirt to one EA); and
demonstrating preferential treatment to certain students that led to disruptive classroom outbursts by students, which were not properly addressed.

Winer has a prior discipline history with the College and his board.

The Discipline Committee panel found Winer guilty of professional misconduct and incompetent as defined in the Ontario College of Teachers Act, 1996. The panel ordered that his certificate be suspended for two months. He was also directed to appear before the panel to receive a reprimand.

In addition, Winer was directed to complete, at his own expense, an Additional Qualification course or Additional Basic Qualification course that covers curriculum, lesson planning, instructional strategies, and assessment of student learning for students with special needs. He needs to do so prior to filling or resuming a teaching position or any position requiring a Certificate of Qualification and Registration.

In its written decision, the panel stated, "Members are expected to teach diligently and to prioritize the learning and well-being of students by demonstrating skill and sensitivity in responding to the needs and exceptionalities of students and in co-operating with colleagues and staff to meet the needs of students."

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