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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.


Member: William John Beaucage, OCT
Registration No: 256681
Decision: Reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel reprimanded former principal William John Beaucage for repeatedly abusing his position of trust and authority.

Beaucage, who was certified to teach in June 1987, attended the November 7, 2016, hearing and had legal representation.

The member:

He resigned his employment from the board.

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

In addition, he was directed to complete a course of instruction, at this own expense, regarding appropriate boundaries.

In its written decision, the panel stated, “The Member’s conduct demonstrated a clear lack of leadership and professional judgment, and it was unacceptable for any member of the teaching profession. The Committee is even more concerned that the Member engaged in this type of conduct as a principal. In this position, he was expected to serve as a leader and a role model for his school community. He fell far short of meeting these expectations.”


Member: Costante Bortolin, OCT
Registration No: 496779
Decision: Reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel reprimanded Costante Bortolin, a Transportation Technology teacher at the York Region District School Board, for transferring ownership of a vehicle to a colleague.

Bortolin, who was certified to teach in November 2005, attended the December 20, 2016, hearing and had legal representation.

Bortolin was responsible for teaching the dismantling and rebuilding of vehicles that were donated to the Transportation Technology program at the school.

The panel heard that a donor gave a 1998 Honda Civic to the school. Prior to the donation, the member told the donor that the vehicle likely had minimal value for the purpose of a charitable tax receipt. He did not provide the donor with a tax receipt.

Bortolin subsequently traded the vehicle with a colleague for two used-vehicle donations. He agreed to trade because of a shortage of vehicles in the program.

However, he entered the agreement without the permission of the donor, the school or the board. The member’s colleague retained ownership of the vehicle.

The donor witnessed the vehicle being driven by the member’s colleague with a different licence plate. The donor reported it to the school and specified that she had not transferred ownership of the vehicle to the member’s colleague.

The board suspended the member for five days without pay.

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

In addition, he was directed to complete, at his own expense, a course of instruction in the ethical practice of teachers.

In its written decision, the panel stated, “The reprimand will allow the Committee to directly address its concerns with the Member and will serve as a specific deterrent.”


Member: Pierre Léozert Chéry
Registration No: 465374
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel suspended the certificate of Pierre Léozert Chéry, a former teacher employed by the Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est, for abusing students.

Chéry, who was certified to teach in June 2003, did not attend the hearings on October 25–26, 2016, and had no legal representation.

Chéry behaved aggressively and abusively toward at least 19 students in seven different classes. He abused them verbally, physically and psychologically or emotionally. For example, he:

The board suspended him after he refused to attend a meeting as part of the its investigation related to his conduct.

The Discipline Committee panel found him guilty of professional misconduct.

The panel ordered that his teaching certificate be suspended for six months and that he appear before it to receive a reprimand before accepting any position requiring a Certificate of Qualification and Registration.

In addition, Chéry was directed to complete, at his own expense, an Additional Qualification or an Additional Basic Qualification course covering classroom management and communication with students. He was directed to do so prior to accepting any position requiring a Certificate of Qualification and Registration.

In its written decision, the panel stated, “His conduct demonstrated a lack of professionalism, empathy, respect, integrity, commitment to students and student learning, and professional knowledge. His abuse of a number of young students was utterly unacceptable.”


Member: Shelley Fernandes De Barros, OCT
Registration No: 478726
Decision: Reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel ordered Shelley Fernandes De Barros, a teacher at the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board, to be reprimanded regarding a chemistry experiment that exploded into flames and injured some students.

De Barros, who was certified to teach in June 2004, did not attend the December 6, 2016, hearing but had legal representation.

De Barros offered to demonstrate a chemical experiment to students in a lab. She added a chemical to a burning flame that suddenly ignited in a flash fire. She then threw or dropped the flaming container causing the fire to spread in the direction of the four students in the front row. This was not intentional on the member’s part.

De Barros immediately attended to the needs of the students.

None of the students were asked by De Barros to wear safety goggles, gloves or protective clothing. In addition, some students were watching a movie and not paying attention.

The member and the board were charged under Ontario’s fire code. Both pled guilty and were ordered to pay fines.

A police investigation determined that no crime had been committed and no criminal charges were laid against the member.

The Discipline Committee panel found De Barros guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that she appear before it immediately after the hearing to receive a reprimand, which she did.

In addition, she was directed to complete a course, at her own expense, in classroom management with emphasis on supervision and classroom safety.

In its written decision, the panel stated, “The Member could have taken the necessary steps to ensure the safety of her students. The Member failed to ensure that the students were reasonably protected from possible risks.”


Member: Michael William Demczuk, OCT
Registration No: 250758
Decision: Reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel reprimanded Michael William Demczuk, a vice-principal at the Grand Erie District School Board, for inappropriate electronic communications with a female student and for failing to respect boundaries with a female colleague.

The member, who was certified to teach in July 1990, attended the public hearing on November 15, 2016, with his legal counsel.

The panel heard that:

The board suspended him for two days without pay.

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

In its decision, the panel stated that as a teacher, administrator and a member of the College, the member holds a position of trust and authority and is expected to know and respect the boundaries of the teacher/student relationship.


Member: Jonathan K. Eltis
Registration No: 275258
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel suspended former Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board teacher Jonathan K. Eltis for repeated inappropriate conduct despite multiple warnings and sanctions by his school board.

Certified to teach in June 1991, Eltis attended the September 22, 2016, hearing and was represented by legal counsel.

The panel heard that he repeatedly behaved unprofessionally in a psychological and verbal way toward students.

For example, he had:

He resigned from his employment with the board.

The Discipline Committee panel found Eltis guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his Certificate of Qualification and Registration be suspended for three months. He was also ordered to appear before the panel immediately after the hearing to receive a reprimand.

In addition, Eltis must also successfully complete courses, at his own expense, in boundary violations and sensitivity issues prior to returning to teaching.

In its decision, the panel stated, “The coursework will remind the Member of his obligations as a teacher, including the need to treat all students with respect and to maintain appropriate professional boundaries.”


Member: Jason Edward Gera, OCT
Registration No: 448106
Decision: Reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel reprimanded Jason Edward Gera, a former teacher at the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board, for inappropriate conduct.

Gera, who was certified to teach in July 2001, attended the October 27, 2016, hearing and had legal representation.

The panel heard that Gera prevented a male student from leaving the classroom, and frightened him when he raised his hand at the student and yelled and screamed.

The student cried and ran away from Gera who tried to apologize. The student left the classroom and ran all the way home.

The Catholic Children’s Aid Society of Hamilton conducted an investigation and verified the allegation of “causing risk that a child is likely to be physically harmed.”

He was charged with assault. The charges were withdrawn after he entered a one-year peace bond.

He was assigned to home duties by the board. His status with the board has been changed to inactive without pay.

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

In addition, he was directed to complete a course of instruction, at his own expense, in anger management and appropriate classroom management.

In its written decision, the panel stated, “The Committee is satisfied that the coursework ordered to be completed by the Member on anger management and appropriate classroom management will serve to remediate the Member and improve his practice.”


Member: Not identified
Decision: Reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel reprimanded a former teacher from the Grand Erie District School Board for a repeated pattern of unprofessional and dishonest conduct.

The member, who was certified to teach in June 1992, attended the public hearing on November 7, 2016, with his legal counsel.

The member repeatedly lied to school administration and shirked his teaching responsibilities at the school in order to fulfil a part-time assignment at Mohawk College.

He did so even after having been told by school administration that he did not have permission to take time off to teach at the college. Board resources were expended to cover his absences.

The timing of his absences was also problematic, given that he was absent on several occasions toward the end of a semester and during examinations when he should have been available to assist his students with their exam preparations.

The board terminated his employment.

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

In its decision, the panel stated, “The Member’s misconduct was serious and the Committee denounces his dishonest and unprofessional behaviour.”


Member: Timothy Jordan
Registration No: 251988
Decision: Reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel reprimanded Timothy Jordan, a former teacher at the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board, related to his conviction on two counts of assault.

Jordan, who was certified to teach in June 1993, did not attend the October 14, 2016, hearing but had legal representation.

The panel heard that Jordan grabbed his ex-wife’s partner and repeatedly punched him in the face. He also pushed his ex-wife when she attempted to pull him off her partner.

Jordan was convicted of two counts of assault and given a suspended sentence of 18 months’ probation. He was ordered to perform 50 hours of community service work, comply with a treatment program for assessment/counselling, and prohibited from contacting the two persons directly or indirectly.

The board terminated his employment.

The Discipline Committee panel found Jordan guilty of professional misconduct and ordered him to receive a reprimand.

In addition, prior to commencing or returning to a teaching position, he was directed to complete a course of instruction, at his own expense, in stress and anger management issues.

In its written decision, the panel stated, “Members of the teaching profession are expected to be positive role models. The Member clearly did not meet this expectation, and through his criminal conduct, he jeopardized the public’s confidence in the teaching profession.”


Member: Alistair Martin-Smith
Registration No: 210413
Decision: Revocation

A Discipline Committee panel revoked the Certificate of Qualification and Registration of Alistair Martin-Smith, a former occasional teacher at the York Region District School Board, who was convicted of crimes relating to child pornography.

Licensed to teach in June 1984, Martin-Smith did not attend the hearing on November 3, 2016, but was represented by legal counsel.

The panel heard that, while living in United Kingdom, he took his laptop into a repair shop where the technician checked the laptop’s hard drive and found pornographic images of children on it.

Martin-Smith was found guilty of one count of taking an indecent photograph and 14 counts of making (downloading or printing) indecent photographs of children. The laptop also contained more than 1,700 pornographic images and videos of children.

Martin-Smith failed to disclose his convictions when he subsequently applied for a long-term occasional position with the board.

He resigned his position with the board after the Toronto Police Service informed the board that he had a criminal record in the United Kingdom.

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

In its written decision, the panel stated, “His disgraceful, dishonourable and unprofessional conduct jeopardized the public’s perception of teachers in the province and must be denounced in the strongest terms.” The panel added, “His reprehensible conduct warrants the most serious consequence — revocation.”


Member: Gilbert Ignatios (Ian) McIntyre
Registration No: 245962
Decision: Suspension, reprimand

A Discipline Committee panel suspended the Certificate of Qualification and Registration of Toronto District School Board occasional teacher Gilbert Ignatios (Ian) McIntyre for failing to comply with an order of the Discipline Committee.

Certified to teach in June 1974, McIntyre attended the October 26, 2016, hearing and had legal representation.

McIntyre disregarded his suspension, which was ordered by the Discipline Committee in December 2010 for his previous professional misconduct, by completing a long-term occasional teaching assignment with the board during his suspension.

He was aware of his suspension but kept this information from the board.

The Discipline Committee panel found McIntyre guilty of professional misconduct and ordered the Registrar to suspend his certificate for five months.

He was also directed to appear before the panel immediately after the hearing to receive a reprimand.

In its decision, the panel stated, “The Member’s failure to comply with an order of the Discipline Committee demonstrated a lack of respect for the profession and undermined an important principle of self-regulation. Self-regulation signifies that the government has delegated its regulatory functions to those who have the specialized knowledge necessary to carry out these responsibilities.”


Member: Anthony Ross
Registration No: 192730
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel suspended the certificate of Anthony Ross, a teacher at the Toronto District School Board, for inappropriate conduct.

This matter was heard by the panel on November 2, 2016. Ross, who was certified to teach in June 1992, attended the hearing and had legal representation.

Ross agreed to the request of a student’s mother to provide additional academic help for her son. His inappropriate conduct included:

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

It also ordered him to successfully complete, at his own expense and within 90 days of the panel’s order, a course on boundary violations.

In its written decision, the panel stated, “The fact of the suspension and the recording of the suspension on the Register acts as a specific deterrent to the Member and a general deterrent to the members of the profession, advising them that this type of conduct will not be tolerated by the College and will be dealt with seriously.”


Member: Paul Gomes Santos, OCT
Registration No: 426269
Decision: Reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel reprimanded Paul Gomes Santos, a teacher at the Toronto District School Board, for a repeated pattern of inappropriate conduct. The conduct continued despite warnings and disciplinary actions from his board.

Santos, who was certified to teach in June 1999, attended the October 14, 2016, hearing and had legal representation.

His inappropriate conduct, which occurred at two different schools, involved profanity, discussion of marijuana usage and inappropriate remarks about his genitals. Examples of his conduct also included:

The Discipline Committee panel found Santos guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that he appear before it immediately after the hearing to receive a reprimand. In addition, he was directed to complete, at his own expense, a course of instruction in student sensitivities. He must do so within 90 days of the panel’s order date.

In its written decision, the panel stated, “Members of the profession are expected to be positive role models for students, and the Member’s repeated conduct was disrespectful and demonstrated a lack of regard for his students and his professional obligations.”


Member: Douglas Lee Saunders
Registration No: 232638
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel suspended the teaching certificate of Douglas Lee Saunders, a teacher at the Toronto District School Board, for inappropriate conduct involving violations of teacher-student boundaries and allowing students to access inappropriate material on his computer.

This matter was heard by the panel on November 3, 2016. Saunders, who was certified to teach in June 1973, did not attend the hearing but had legal representation.

The panel heard that Saunders permitted students access to his Facebook page, which contained the following inappropriate material:

Saunders also permitted a student and/or students in his classroom to have access to his personal laptop computer that contained cached images of a pornographic or erotic nature, which appeared to depict young adolescent males.

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

It also ordered him to successfully complete, at his own expense, a course on boundary violations and sensitivity issues. He must do so prior to commencing a teaching position or any position for which a certificate is required.

In its written decision, the panel stated, “The Member’s conduct involved a repeated pattern of inappropriate and unprofessional behaviour towards students, and is unacceptable. In particular, the Committee was troubled by the lack of awareness and insight into the effect of his professional misconduct on the well-being of his students”.


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