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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. 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.


In the September 2015 issue of Professionally Speaking, a case summary incorrectly stated that Michael Wade Canning had been reprimanded by the Disciplinary Committee in connection with a criminal conviction. Canning was not criminally convicted of any offence. He was found guilty under Section 11(2) of the Highway Traffic Act for failing to apply to the Ministry of Transportation for a permit within six days. The College apologizes for the error.

Member: André Bédard, OCT
Registration No: 283851
Decision: Reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel ordered that André Bédard, a teacher from the Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est, be reprimanded for abusing students verbally and physically.

Bédard, who was certified to teach in April 1994, did not attend the public hearing on March 5, 2015, but was represented by legal counsel.

The panel heard that numerous inappropriate incidents happened during the 2008–09 and 2009–10 school years including:

The member was subsequently transferred to another school following complaints from the students’ parents.

The panel found the member guilty of professional misconduct and ordered him to appear before the panel on July 7, 2015, to receive a reprimand, and required that he successfully complete, at his own expense, a pre-approved course on anger management and maintaining appropriate boundaries within four months of the order.

In its decision, the panel said, “The member failed to maintain the standards of the teaching profession by abusing students verbally and physically, which would reasonably be regarded by members, as disgraceful, dishonourable or unprofessional.”


Member: Guy Boissonneault, OCT
Registration No: 439867
Decision: Reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel reprimanded Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board teacher Guy Boissonneault for physically abusing a student.

Boissonneault, who was certified to teach in October 2000, attended the public hearing on June 15, 2015, with his legal counsel.

The panel heard that, in 2013, he grabbed a student and pushed him against the handrail of a portable for a maximum of 15 seconds to put an end to inappropriate behaviour by the student, who continued to hit him in the behind, despite the member’s repeated directives. The student had been leaning against the handrail just prior to the incident.

Boissonneault also failed to fulfil his duty as supervisor during two field trips.

The panel found the member guilty of professional misconduct and ordered him to appear before the panel immediately following the hearing to receive a reprimand. It also directed the member to successfully complete, at his own expense, a pre-approved course on boundary issues and on student supervision.

In its decision, the panel said, “Members of the College are required to comply with professional standards and to demonstrate conduct becoming of a member of the profession.”


Member: Not identified
Decision: Reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel reprimanded an Ottawa-Carleton District School Board teacher for making inappropriate comments on the physical appearance of two of his students.

The member, who was certified to teach in February 1995, attended the public hearing on June 8, 2015, with his legal counsel.

He made the comments during the 2011–12 school year. His board issued a letter of discipline and suspended him for one day without pay. He was also required to complete a course on boundaries, which he completed successfully.

The panel found the member guilty of professional misconduct and ordered him to appear before it immediately following the hearing to receive a reprimand. It also directed him to successfully complete, at his own expense, a pre-approved course on professional boundaries.

In its decision, the panel said, “Although the member may have intended for his comments to be lighthearted jokes, members of the teaching profession should not make negative and inappropriate comments about the physical appearance of their students.”


Member: Andréane Hélène Cadieux
Registration No: 528229
Decision: Revocation

A Discipline Committee panel revoked the Certificate of Qualification and Registration of Andréane Hélène Cadieux, a former teacher at the Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est, for engaging in an inappropriate relationship with a student.

Licensed to teach in June 2008, Cadieux did not attend the hearing on October 21, 2013, nor was she represented by legal counsel.

Cadieux entered into a sexual relationship with a student through webcam communication. She crossed the professional boundaries between students and teachers by having inappropriate conversations with students on Facebook and MSN (Hotmail), and exchanging emails and messages of a sexual nature.

The Discipline Committee panel found Cadieux guilty of professional misconduct and directed the Registrar to revoke her Certificate of Qualification and Registration.

In its written decision, the panel said, “This misconduct is extremely serious and undermines the public’s confidence in the teaching profession.”


Member: Marc Claege
Registration No: 444748
Decision: Revocation

A Discipline Committee panel revoked the teaching certificate of Limestone District School Board teacher Marc Claege related to a criminal conviction for sexually assaulting a student.

Claege, who was certified to teach in September 2001, did not attend the public hearing on February 12, 2015, nor was he represented by legal counsel.

Claege became the student’s mentor and confidant. Between October 2010 and April 2013, he regularly and systematically sexually abused the student. While the student was uncomfortable with Claege’s behaviour, he was afraid that if he did not allow Claege to touch him, he would lose him as his confidant.

Claege was found guilty of sexual assault and sentenced to eight months in jail and placed on 18 months’ probation.

The panel found Claege guilty of professional misconduct and directed the Registrar to revoke his Certificate of Qualification and Registration.

In its written decision, the panel said, “The seriousness of this misconduct is compounded by the fact that the member was acting as a mentor and confidant to the student and used this relationship against the student for his own sexual gratification. The member had no regard for the well-being of the student ... and his family.”


Member: Salvatore (Sam) Congi
Registration No: 179960
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel suspended the certificate of Salvatore Congi, a former teacher at the Conseil scolaire catholique du Nouvel-Ontario, for inappropriate conduct.

Congi, who was certified to teach in September 1992, attended the hearings on September 18, 23 and 24, 2013, and on July 21, 2014. He was represented by legal counsel.

The panel heard that, in November 2008, Congi was alone with a female student in his parked car on an isolated road.

The Discipline Committee panel found the member guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his teaching certificate be suspended for one month, and that he appear before the panel immediately after the hearing to receive a reprimand.

In addition, Congi was directed to complete a course of instruction in maintaining appropriate boundaries at his own expense.

In its written decision, the panel said that “his conduct was inappropriate and constitutes flagrant disregard of the professional relationship which must exist between a teacher and a student.”


Member: Andrea Roseanne Davidson
Registration No: 296740
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel suspended the teaching certificate of Andrea Roseanne Davidson, a former teacher at York Region District School Board for her ongoing pattern of lying and for verbally, physically and emotionally abusing a young student.

Davidson, who was certified to teach in August 1998, did not attend the public hearing on February 10, 2015, but was represented by legal counsel.

In November 2007, Davidson, who was employed at the time by the Durham District School Board, pled guilty to five criminal charges for stealing a colleague’s credit card. She received a conditional discharge.

Her employment was terminated by that board. The termination was grieved and, in 2007, the parties settled the grievance on the basis that the member resign from the board. She was found guilty of professional misconduct by a Discipline Committee panel of the College in November 2008.

In 2009 and 2010, Davidson applied for various teaching positions with the York Region District School Board and falsified information in her application and during an interview about her employment termination and her criminal charges. In 2009, she was hired as an occasional teacher by the board and was hired again in 2012 to complete two long-term teaching positions.

In December 2012, Davidson intentionally tripped a young student who was hurt during the incident by hitting his face on the ground. She reacted by saying to the student, “That’s what you get for running.” The board terminated her employment.

The panel found Davidson guilty of professional misconduct and directed the Registrar to suspend her Certificate of Qualification and Registration for two years starting on February 10, 2015.

Furthermore, Davidson was ordered to appear before the panel to receive a reprimand, and required to successfully complete, at her own expense, a pre-approved course of instruction covering professional ethics.

Davidson’s legal counsel suggested that the only “glimmer of hope” that the member may return to teaching would be to not have her name published in this summary. The panel did not agree.

In its written decision, the panel found “it was more important that the public be informed of the member’s repeated conduct, abuse of a student and the penalty ordered.”


Member: Leonard Samuel Foucault
Registration No: 367327
Decision: Revocation

A Discipline Committee panel revoked the teaching certificate of Leonard Samuel Foucault, a former teacher at the Sudbury Catholic District School Board, for abusing students.

Foucault, who was certified to teach in June 1979, did not attend the public hearing on May 21, 2015, nor was his legal counsel present.

The panel heard that Foucault verbally, physically, and psychologically or emotionally abused several extremely vulnerable students on numerous occasions. For example:

The panel found Foucault guilty of professional misconduct and directed the Registrar to revoke his Certificate of Qualification and Registration.

In its decision, the panel said, “The member’s egregious conduct negatively impacted students and staff, and occurred repeatedly over the course of several months, in the face of repeated complaints from staff. The teaching profession expects more of its members.”


Member: Vasilios Georgiopoulos, OCT
Registration No: 515861
Decision: Reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel directed Vasilios Georgiopoulos, an occasional teacher of the Simcoe County District School Board, to receive a reprimand for inappropriate conduct.

The member, who was certified to teach in March 2007, attended the January 29, 2015, hearing and was represented by legal counsel.

During the 2010–11 school year, the member repeatedly conducted himself in a disgraceful, dishonourable and unprofessional way in a number of incidents including:

The panel heard evidence that the member was advised by the board to complete a classroom management course, yet his behaviour continued at another school approximately three months later. The member ultimately completed the course in February 2011.

The Discipline Committee panel found the member guilty of professional misconduct. Georgiopoulos was directed to appear before the panel to receive a reprimand immediately following the hearing. As well, he was ordered to complete a pre-approved course, at his own expense, on anger management.

In its decision, the panel said that “he did not exercise the appropriate and professional boundaries that are mandatory when communicating with students.”


Member: Sean Lee Gibson
Registration No: 455555
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel suspended the certificate of Sean Lee Gibson, a former teacher at the Windsor-Essex Catholic District School Board, for abusive and unprofessional conduct.

Gibson, who was certified to teach in June 2002, did not attend the March 6, 2015, hearing, nor was he represented by legal counsel.

During the 2011–12 and 2012–13 academic years, Gibson’s conduct was not what was expected from a member of the teaching profession. For example:

His employment with the board was terminated in November 2012.

The Discipline Committee panel found the member guilty of professional misconduct, and ordered that his teaching certificate be suspended for 12 months and that he appear before the panel to receive a reprimand.

In addition, the panel imposed a number of terms, conditions or limitations on Gibson’s teaching certificate. For example, he is required to be screened and monitored with regard to his substance abuse prior to beginning or returning to any teaching position.

The panel also ordered that he successfully complete significant coursework prior to returning to the teaching profession.

In its written decision, the panel stated that, in addition to having other concerns, it was, “particularly troubled by the fact that the member used cocaine at the school while there were children under his care. This conduct is completely unacceptable and must be met with severe consequences.”


Member: John Alexander Spahich Gordon, OCT
Registration No: 477629
Decision: Reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel reprimanded John Alexander Spahich Gordon, a former teacher at the York Region District School Board, for inappropriate behaviour.

Gordon, who was certified to teach in June 2004, attended the public hearing on June 19, 2015, with his legal counsel.

During the 2008–09 school year, Gordon made inappropriate, offensive and demeaning comments to students. For example:

His employment with the board was terminated in 2009.

The panel found the member guilty of professional misconduct and ordered him to appear before the panel immediately following the hearing to receive a reprimand. He was also directed to successfully complete, at his own expense, pre-approved courses on boundary violations and sensitivity training.

In its decision, the panel said, “The courses of instruction regarding boundary violations and sensitivity training will assist in the rehabilitation of the member.”


Member: Lenford Dale Grant
Registration No: 176554
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel suspended the certificate of Ottawa Catholic School Board’s teacher Lenford Dale Grant for repeatedly engaging in inappropriate conduct.

Grant, who was certified to teach in June 1982, was represented by a lawyer and attended the hearing that was held on January 14, 2015.

In May 2006, Grant, who maintained occasional teaching positions at a school, started to approach students and attempted to recruit them as models, beauty pageant contestants and for television commercials.

The board removed him from its occasional teacher list, directed him to view a video and read certain documents provided by the board, and placed him on probation for his conduct. He continued to engage in similar behaviour at another school during the two following years.

The Discipline Committee panel found the member guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his teaching certificate be suspended for one month, starting on January 14, 2015, and that he appear before the panel immediately after the hearing to receive a reprimand.

In addition, Grant was directed to complete a course of instruction in professional boundaries and boundary violation issues at his own expense.

In its written decision, the panel said, “[His] lack of judgment was made apparent by his continued and ongoing misconduct and disregard for the previous warnings he received from the board.”


Member: Clinton Jeffery Hockin, OCT
Registration No: 420510
Decision: Reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel reprimanded Clinton Jeffery Hockin, a teacher of the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board, for engaging in a pattern of misconduct.

Hockin, who was certified to teach in July 1998, attended the February 20, 2015, hearing and was represented by legal counsel.

The misconduct — which happened during the 2012–13 school year — included disregard toward female students by making demeaning and offensive comments, sharing with students inappropriate personal information, binding a student with masking tape, playing songs with inappropriate lyrics, calling students names and making reference to sexual orientation, and making inappropriate comments to colleagues that could be heard by students.

Following the board’s investigation, Hockin was suspended for three days without pay at the start of the 2013–14 school year and transferred to another school in the board.

The Discipline Committee panel found the member guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that he appear before the panel to receive a reprimand immediately after the hearing.

In addition, Hockin was directed to complete a course of instruction, at his own expense, in adolescent development and professional boundaries with students.

In its written decision, the panel said that “classroom discussions should not have a negative impact on students, especially young students who are easily influenced. The incidents above clearly demonstrate the member’s lack of good judgment. Even if the member, in some instances, recognized the inappropriateness of his behaviour and attempted to fix the situation, the committee is concerned that he repeatedly made poor decisions.”


Member: Charles Thomas Jennings
Registration No: 216260
Decision: Revocation

A Discipline Committee panel revoked the certificate of Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board teacher Charles Thomas Jennings related to a criminal conviction for sexually assaulting a female student.

Licensed to teach in June 1993, Jennings did not attend the February 17, 2015, hearing nor was he represented by legal counsel.

Jennings met the student on a class trip in March 2012 and they began texting one another and spending time together. During the 2011–12 and 2012–13 academic year, Jennings had an inappropriate personal relationship with her and engaged in sexual contact and inappropriate electronic communication.

He was convicted of sexual assault and given a 90-day conditional sentence and 15 months’ probation.

The Discipline Committee panel found Jennings guilty of professional misconduct, and directed the Registrar to revoke his Certificate of Qualification and Registration.

The panel found that “[His] behaviour has brought the profession into disrepute and was in conflict with the duty of a teacher to protect students.”


Member: Rose Marie Kellington
Registration No: 200153
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel suspended the certificate of Avon Maitland District School Board’s teacher Rose Marie Kellington for purchasing alcohol for an underage student, and for verbally and physically abusing a student.

Kellington, who was certified to teach in June 1991, was represented by a lawyer and attended the hearing that was held on February 6, 2015.

In April 2011, Kellington — while driving her daughter and other students to a party — vocalized her dislike for a student as she believed that student was bullying her daughter. Another student disputed Kellington’s claim, which led her to accuse the student of being a bully as well, angrily opened the passenger door and physically removed her from her car and drove away.

Later in the evening, the member’s serious and impulsive behaviour continued upon arrival at the party. When she saw the student she believed was bullying her daughter, she began moving toward her with a pointed finger and started yelling, swearing and grabbing the student by the collar and vigorously shook her while screaming obscenities. Kellington pushed the student causing her to hit her head against a glass door. She repeated this action a second time.

Kellington’s board suspended her without pay for 30 days. She was subsequently transferred to another school within the board and took two courses on boundary issues, teamwork and conflict management.

The Discipline Committee panel found the member guilty of professional misconduct.

The panel also ordered that her teaching certificate be suspended for 30 days — which happened from May 19, 2011 to June 30, 2011 — and that she appear before the panel immediately after the hearing to receive a reprimand.

In addition, Kellington was directed to complete a course or courses of instruction in appropriate boundaries and boundary violation issues and anger management at her own expense. She was directed to do so within eight months of the date of this hearing.

In its written decision, the panel said, “The Committee finds this conduct to be unacceptable. Student-teacher boundaries are essential for all teachers. The member failed to fulfil her role as a teacher which is required at all times and not just inside the classroom.”


Member: Joseph Robert Marc Lavigne, OCT
Registration No: 200746
Decision: Reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel directed Joseph Robert Marc Lavigne, a principal employed by the Conseil scolaire public du Nord-Est de l’Ontario, to receive a reprimand for contravening the guideline relating to the safety of the board’s facilities and the use of the board’s computer network.

The member, who was certified to teach in June 1992, attended the April 29, 2015, hearing and was represented by legal counsel.

Lavigne installed the Skype software program on his computer at school without the board’s written permission. In 2012, he also sent personal, intimate emails and communications using the board’s email account.

The Discipline Committee panel found the member guilty of professional misconduct and directed him to appear before the panel immediately after the hearing to receive a reprimand. As well, the member was ordered to complete a pre-approved course, at his own expense, on ethics and responsibilities of administrators.

In its decision, the panel said, “By sending personal, intimate emails and communications using the board’s email account, the member failed to comply with this guideline [the board’s guideline] … By engaging in a personal, intimate conversation with a person outside the school using Skype, his actions were rash and, as such, could damage public trust in the teaching profession.”


Member: Luc Bernard Lemieux
Registration No: 428030
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel suspended the certificate of Luc Bernard Lemieux, a teacher of the Conseil scolaire Viamonde, for sexual abuse.

Lemieux, who was certified to teach in May 1999, was represented by legal counsel and attended the hearings held on April 24, 29, 30 and May 21, 2014, and January 19, 20 and March 31, 2015.

Starting in 2004 and over the next six school years, Lemieux made numerous remarks of a sexual nature toward several students including:

In addition, his relationships with five students were overly familiar and exceeded the boundaries between teacher and student. He demonstrated favouritism by giving them gifts, such as silver necklaces, a stuffed bear holding a heart reading “Just say yes,” a bouquet of white roses and money. He was also lending students his debit card and cellphone, sending them numerous personal texts and emails, and inviting them to lunch during school hours.

Lemieux also suggested to female students belonging to a team to wear only a sports bra during one practice and encouraged a student, in front of the class, to take off a sweater she was wearing under a see-through jacket.

In the 2011–12 school year, he was reassigned to another school with the board, and there have been no other complaints or allegations of inappropriate conduct since then.

The Discipline Committee panel found the member guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his teaching certificate be suspended for 18 months as of July 1, 2015, and that he appear before the panel immediately after the hearing to receive a reprimand.

In addition, Lemieux was directed to complete a course of instruction in maintaining appropriate boundaries and supervising students at his own expense.

In its written decision, the panel said, “It is essential that teachers be familiar with the boundaries that must be maintained in their relationships with students. By engaging in inappropriate relationships with students, including inappropriate communications of a sexual nature, the member failed to observe these boundaries.”


Member: Elias Pantelis Leousis
Registration No: 445629
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel suspended the certificate of College member Elias Pantelis Leousis for being untruthful about his criminal record, for showing disregard for a student’s well-being and for failing to follow directions given to him by his principal.

Leousis, who was certified to teach in June 2001, attended the April 1, 2015, hearing and was represented by legal counsel.

The Discipline Committee panel heard that, in 2001, the member submitted an application form to the College and made false statements regarding his criminal history. In 1995, he was adjudicated guilty of child abuse and battery in a Florida court.

The panel was troubled by Leousis’s ongoing dishonesty when he continued to be untruthful about his criminal record while applying for a teaching position with the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board. He was hired by the board in 2011.

The panel also heard that he made an inappropriate comment to a student and, despite being told by his principal to refrain from discussing the incident with the student, Leousis apologized to him causing the student to feel uncomfortable.

The Discipline Committee panel found the member guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his teaching certificate be suspended for six months starting on March 1, 2015, and that he appear before the panel, immediately after the hearing, to receive a reprimand.

In addition, Leousis was directed to complete a course of instruction in professional ethics at his own expense.

In its written decision, the panel members found “the member’s ongoing pattern of dishonesty to be disgraceful and unprofessional … The committee further finds that the member’s thoughtless words caused discomfort to a student and his parents.”


Member: John William Lowrie
Registration No: 235824
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel suspended the teaching certificate of York Region District School Board teacher John William Lowrie for failing to comply with school procedures, making inappropriate comments to students and commenting inappropriately about the principal.

Lowrie, who was certified to teach in June 1988, did not attend the April 15, 16, 2015, hearing nor was he represented by legal counsel.

During the 2011–12 school year, Lowrie failed to comply with the appropriate school procedures regarding school or trips and told students about a school trip before receiving approval by the board.

He made several inappropriate comments including telling a student and/or students to “shut up” in class, and calling students “losers.” The member also made threatening comments about the principal in the presence of staff and students.

The Discipline Committee panel found the member guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his teaching certificate be suspended for six months starting on the date of the order, and that he appear before the panel to receive a reprimand.

In addition, Lowrie was directed to complete a course of instruction in anger management with an emphasis on professional boundaries and sensitivity toward students — at his own expense.

In its written decision, the panel said that “The member demonstrated a pattern of rude, disrespectful, and inappropriate behaviour.”


Member: Hayden Ashford McLean
Registration No: 214559
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel suspended Toronto District School Board auto mechanics teacher Hayden Ashford McLean and ordered his certificate be suspended in connection with a vehicle that was donated to the school’s auto mechanics shop.

McLean, who was certified to teach in April 1995, attended the public hearing on January 15, 2015, with his legal counsel.

The panel heard that during the 2009–10 school year, McLean transferred the ownership of a vehicle donated to the school’s auto mechanics shop, for teaching purposes, into his own name. In order to transfer the ownership of the vehicle into his own name, he copied the donor’s signature from the licence plate renewal form onto the owner portion of the ownership document. McLean acknowledged that he did not have permission from the donor, the school or the board to transfer ownership of the vehicle into his name.

Following the board’s investigation, McLean was suspended by the board for 15 days and was required to review the board’s process for vehicle donations.

The panel found McLean guilty of professional misconduct and directed the Registrar to suspend his Certificate of Qualification and Registration for 15 days. Furthermore, McLean was ordered to appear before the panel immediately following the hearing to receive a reprimand, and required to successfully complete, at his own expense, a pre-approved course of instruction covering ethical expectations of teachers.

In its decision, the panel found “the member’s actions to be a serious breach of trust.”


Member: Norman Neil G. McLeod
Registration No: 328065
Decision: Revocation

A Discipline Committee panel revoked the certificate of former teacher Norman Neil G. McLeod related to a criminal conviction for sexually abusing children.

Licensed to teach in July 1962, McLeod did not attend the December 18, 2014, hearing nor was he represented by legal counsel.

In the 1960s and 1970s, as a trusted member of the community, parents allowed McLeod to take their children to his cottage. While at the cottage, he would invite the children to enjoy recreational activities in exchange for performing and participating in a variety of sexual acts. In 1979, six complained to the local police and McLeod was arrested and charged with indecently assaulting six children. He pled guilty and was sentenced to six concurrent cutodial terms of three months, followed by three years of probation. His employment with the board was subsequently terminated.

In 2011, a new victim came forward and the police conducted a second investigation, which resulted in six other victims coming forward. McLeod was found guilty of 14 counts of sexual abuse. He was sentenced to three years’ incarceration.

College Counsel submitted that McLeod’s conduct was one of the most egregious cases of abuse brought before the College.

The panel found McLeod guilty of professional misconduct, and directed the Registrar to revoke his Certificate of Qualification and Registration.

In its written decision, the panel reported that “College Counsel submitted that the member ‘cannot hide by resigning before these proceedings’ and ‘the College will not shield members of the profession.’ Counsel for the College emphasized the importance of transparency as it was through publicity of this case that six additional victims came forward.”


Member: Olga Alexsandrovna Piatnitsa
Registration No: 504647
Decision: Revocation

A Discipline Committee panel revoked the Certificate of Qualification and Registration of Olga Alexsandrovna Piatnitsa, a former teacher at the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board, for physically assaulting a child.

Licensed to teach in January 2007, she did not attend the May 25, 2015, hearing nor was she represented by legal counsel.

During 2009–10, over a six-month period, Piatnitsa assaulted a child on multiple occasions. The abuse resulted in multiple bruises on the child’s body that were inflicted by slapping, punching, pinching and using a belt.

In March 2012, she was convicted of assault and sentenced to four months in jail and two years’ probation.

The Discipline Committee panel found her guilty of professional misconduct and directed the Registrar to revoke her Certificate of Qualification and Registration.

In its decision, the panel said, “The member, as a result of her conduct, has forfeited the privilege of holding a teaching certificate and being a member of the teaching profession.”


Member: Harry Pott, OCT
Registration No: 141513
Decision: Reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel reprimanded Harry Pott, a former teacher at the Upper Canada District School Board, for inappropriate social media communications.

Pott, who was certified to teach in July 1984, attended the hearing on October 14, 2014. He was represented by legal counsel.

In August 2011, Pott engaged in a conversation with a student on Facebook. They chatted about drinking at Pott’s house and having students of the school over to Pott’s home to drink. The member gave the student his home address and telephone number.

His principal sent Pott a disciplinary letter in 2012. In January 2014, he retired from his employment as a teacher.

The Discipline Committee panel found the member guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that he appear before the panel immediately after the hearing to receive a reprimand.

In addition, Pott was directed to complete a course of instruction in appropriate boundaries, at his own expense, prior to commencing any position requiring a Certificate of Qualification and Registration.


Member: Carmel Rouhani
Registration No: 620009
Decision: Revocation

A Discipline Committee panel revoked the teaching certificate of Near North District School Board former teacher Carmel Rouhani for engaging in an inappropriate relationship with a female student.

Rouhani, who was certified to teach in June 2011, did not attend the public hearing on March 23, 2015, nor was she represented by legal counsel.

The panel heard that during the 2011–12 school year, Rouhani and her student began to communicate very frequently. During the summer of 2012, they had developed a personal relationship, which continued during the 2012–13 school year. They communicated electronically on a very frequent basis and met outside the school.

One day, Rouhani — with the student’s mother’s consent — had the student for an overnight stay. Subsequently, the student’s mother became concerned about the relationship with Rouhani and the student’s father asked Rouhani to “wean herself off” his daughter as he believed his daughter was too attached to the member. Despite the parents’ warning and Rouhani’s assurance to cease the relationship, she continued the relationship with the student.

On May 2013, the student’s mother alerted the Ontario Provincial Police and an investigation began.

The investigation revealed that Rouhani and the student had exchanged about 35,000 text messages between June 2012 and March 2013. The police found that the messages transitioned from being a friendly conversation that one would expect between two teenage girls who cared for one another and who were devastated by the thought of not being able to speak, to messages of a nature that the police felt were an indication that the relationship was more than just friendship. The nature of the text messages became increasingly sexual and included comments such as, “The whole point of me getting into bed with u was to keep u warm.”

The panel found Rouhani guilty of professional misconduct and directed the Registrar to revoke her Certificate of Qualification and Registration. The panel found that Rouhani “was given numerous opportunities to end the inappropriate relationship with the student but failed to do so. The Committee finds that this, coupled with the member’s repeated pattern of lying and numerous text messages with sexual content, demonstrated that she did not take her teaching duties seriously.”


Member: Paul Christopher Sabol
Registration No: 400955
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel reprimanded Toronto District School Board teacher Paul Christopher Sabol for showing inappropriate material to his students in the context of an art lesson.

Sabol, who was certified to teach in June 1991, attended the April 9, 2015, hearing and was represented by legal counsel.

On more than one occasion in 2007 and 2008, Sabol showed inappropriate material to his students. During one incident, he warned his students about the mature theme of numerous postcards he had on display in the classroom, in relation to an activity, and advised them that they did not have to participate if viewing the postcards made them uncomfortable.

The Discipline Committee was concerned with Sabol’s inappropriate choice of teaching material and his failure to recognize that his teaching material should not include sensual, provocative or explicit nude images.

Although Sabol believed that the inappropriate content served a pedagogical purpose, the committee finds that he exercised poor judgment and did not consider the sensitivity of young school children.

In 2009, his board suspended him for 25 days without pay and directed him to complete professional counselling and coursework. He was also placed in an interim assignment at a new location for the remainder of the school year.

The Discipline Committee panel found the member guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his teaching certificate be suspended for 25 days. This suspension is to be recorded on the public register. He was also directed to appear before the panel immediately after the hearing to receive a reprimand.

In addition, Sabol was directed to complete a course of instruction on adolescent development and professional boundaries with students at his own expense.

In its written decision, the panel said that “the reprimand of the member by his peers in respect of his inappropriate conduct serves to emphasize the necessity to maintain the appropriate professional standards set by the College.”


Member: Johanne Ste-Croix
Registration No: 453908
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel suspended Johanne Ste-Croix, a former teacher at the Conseil des écoles publiques de l’Est de l’Ontario, for engaging in an inappropriate personal relationship with a student.

Ste-Croix, who was certified to teach in June 2002, attended the hearing held on May 5, 2015, and was represented by legal counsel.

During the 2010–11 academic year, Ste-Croix regularly communicated with a student via email, text message and telephone. On numerous occasions, she met with him outside the school. The meetings consisted of having him sleep at her home and visiting him at his home.

On one occasion, the student told his grandmother that Ste-Croix thought she was his girlfriend, but he did not want her as his girlfriend. The grandmother ultimately relayed this information and her own observations to the student’s parents. The parents reported the matter to the police.

Ste-Croix was suspended by her board for three months.

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

In addition, Ste-Croix was directed to complete a course of instruction with an emphasis on boundary violations, at her own expense.

In its written decision, the panel said, “The member crossed the professional teaching boundaries governed by the College, and this committee finds the member’s behaviour to be disgraceful and dishonourable.”


Member: Laura Rae Thompson
Registration No: 621867
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel suspended the certificate of College member Laura Rae Thompson for failing to maintain appropriate boundaries with a male student.

Thompson, who was certified to teach in July 2011, did not attend the February 19, 2015, hearing nor was she represented by legal counsel.

On December 26, 2012, Thompson sent an email message to a student stating, among other things, that she wanted to be with him and that she loved him. She told him that he was “the most incredible person” and that she loved him “more than she has ever loved anything, and always will … forever.”

The member admitted that she sent a nude picture of herself to a former student of the school upon his request.

Thompson was suspended with pay in February 2013 and her employment was terminated early March 2013.

The Discipline Committee panel found the member guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that her teaching certificate be suspended for one month starting on February 19, 2015, and that she appear before the panel to receive a reprimand.

In addition, Thompson was directed to complete a course of instruction in appropriate boundaries and boundary violation at her own expense.

In its written decision, the panel said that it “does not accept the member’s explanation that she was intoxicated and under emotional distress at the time of writing and sending the mail … The member’s ” conduct clearly displays her failure to understand appropriate student-teacher boundaries, which in these circumstances, should have been apparent.”


Member: Francis Patrick Ubertelli
Registration No: 523850
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel suspended the certificate of College member Francis Patrick Ubertelli for making inappropriate comments that were offensive, discriminatory and inconsistent with the standards of the profession. He made those comments during his employment with the Conseil scolaire Viamonde from November 2007 to December 2011.

Ubertelli, who was certified to teach in November 2007, did not attend the February 9, 2015, hearing, but was represented by legal counsel.

He posted on a blog this following comment concerning the abortion policies of the president of the United States:

“Shame on this imposter, with his skin as black as tar, shame on this covert murderer …”

He wrote or posted inappropriate comments on his website, and/or supported the content of sites for which he provided the links, including:

“Considering pederasty, lesbianism, bisexuality, transsexuality (mutilation and an attack on the body’s finitude), sodomy, zoophilism and coprophagia within a new anti-moral social order is seeking to ascribe them legitimacy for the sake of building a ‘culture.’”

He also made inappropriate comments to a female student including:

The Discipline Committee panel found the member guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his teaching certificate be suspended for one month starting on February 16, 2015. He was also ordered to appear before the panel on March 5, 2015, to receive a reprimand.

In addition, Ubertelli was directed to complete a course of instruction on maintaining appropriate boundaries at his own expense.

In its written decision, the panel said, “The course on maintaining appropriate boundaries which the member must take addresses his conduct and should assist the member in deepening his understanding of the seriousness of his actions and the fact that they violate school-based societal values and standards.”


Member: Bert Udema
Registration No: 169297
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel suspended the teaching certificate of Bert Udema, a former teacher at the Waterloo Region District School Board, for multiple acts of shoplifting, which resulted in escalated criminal penalties.

Udema, who was certified to teach in June 1991, did not attend the May 27, 2015, hearing nor was he represented by legal counsel.

Between 2010 and 2013, he was convicted of theft under $5,000 five times.

Udema resigned from the board in June 2013.

The Discipline Committee panel found the member guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his teaching certificate be suspended for six months and that he appear before the panel to receive a reprimand.

In addition, he was directed to complete a pre-approved course of instruction in professional ethics at his own expense.

In its written decision, the panel said, “Although the nature of the member’s offences were relatively minor, and the value of the goods that he shoplifted were of nominal value, the member engaged in criminal activity at least five times over the course of three years. Moreover, despite the escalating criminal penalties imposed on the member, he continued to steal and did not learn from his previous mistakes.”


Member: Ronald William Woltman
Registration No: 180391
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel suspended Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board teacher Ronald William Woltman for making unprofessional comments on a student’s report card and making threatening statements to his principal.

Woltman, who was certified to teach in June 1984, attended the hearings held on October 16 and 21, 2014, November 7, 2014, and April 29, 2015. He was represented by legal counsel.

Woltman’s involvement in a number of incidents happening in 2010 gave rise to a finding of professional misconduct. In particular:

His board subsequently gave him a two-day and a five-day suspension.

The Discipline Committee panel found the member guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his teaching certificate be suspended for 15 consecutive days — starting within one week of the order. He was also directed to appear before the panel after the hearing to receive a reprimand.

In addition, Woltman was directed to complete a course of instruction with an emphasis on boundaries and positive communication skills, at his own expense.

In its written decision, the panel said, “The member humiliated a student by writing an inappropriate comment on the student’s report card, he wrote a threatening note to his principal, and his repeated inappropriate and unprofessional conduct directed toward his colleague was shameful.”


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