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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: Jason Lloyd Ashbaugh
Registration No: 455997
Decision: Revocation, reprimand
A Discipline Committee panel revoked the Certificate of Qualification and Registration of Jason Lloyd Ashbaugh, a former teacher with the HamiltonWentworth District School Board, for sexually abusing a student.
Licensed to teach in May 2002, Ashbaugh did not attend the hearing on May 31, 2017, but was represented by legal counsel.
The panel heard that Ashbaugh invited a student to a social event, took her to dinners and bought her alcoholic drinks. They engaged in sexual intercourse on several occasions at his home.
The Discipline Committee panel found him guilty of professional misconduct and directed the Registrar to revoke his Certificate of Qualification and Registration. He was also ordered to appear before the panel to receive a reprimand.
In its written decision, the panel stated, “The Committee is satisfied that the penalty is appropriate in the circumstances and meets the principle of serving and protecting the public interest.”
Member: Kenneth Charles Derr
Registration No: 406845
Decision: Suspension, reprimand,
conditions
A Discipline Committee panel suspended the certificate of College member Kenneth Charles Derr for engaging in inappropriate conduct with a female student on a school trip.
Derr, who was certified to teach in December 1996, attended the hearing on July 12, 2017, and had legal representation.
Derr conduct himself inappropriately by wrestling with the student on a bed in her room, and entering the bathroom while she was showering and throwing cold water over the top of the shower curtain.
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 the panel immediately after the hearing to receive a reprimand. In addition, Derr was directed to complete, at his own expense, a course on boundary violations. He was directed to do so within 120 days of the panel’s decision.
In its written decision, the panel stated, “As educators, members hold a position of trust and authority. They are expected to know and respect the boundaries of the teacher/student relationship. In this case, the Member failed to recognize the emotional impact of his actions on the student and demonstrated insensitivity to the need for privacy of adolescent girls.”
Member: J. Ted Erland, OCT
Registration No: 261545
Decision: Reprimand
A Discipline Committee panel reprimanded J. Ted Erland, a teacher employed by the Ottawa Catholic District School Board, for inappropriate electronic communications with two female students.
Erland, who was certified to teach in June 1994, attended the hearing on June 7, 2017, without legal counsel.
Erland communicated with the students via Instagram and Twitter. In one exchange, he wrote to a student: “This is what I wanted to ask u: I’ve had the biggest crush on your best friend but I can’t say anything[.] And I don’t think it matters anyway?”
The Discipline Committee panel found him guilty of professional misconduct.
The panel ordered that he appear before it immediately after the hearing to receive a reprimand.
In its written decision, the panel stated, “The Member must be reminded that the dynamic between members and students is forever changed when they engage in personal communications in an online environment. Members hold a unique position of trust and authority, and they should never engage in personal information-sharing, or discourse in any electronic setting which would not be appropriate in a school setting.”
Member: Gennady Gefter
Registration No: 206539
Decision: Reprimand, conditions
A Discipline Committee panel ordered a reprimand for Gennady Gefter, a former teacher with the Toronto District School Board, for a repeated pattern of inappropriate conduct, despite the school administration’s interventions and the board’s disciplinary measures.
Gefter, who was certified to teach in July 1994, attended the public hearing on June 13, 2017, with his legal counsel.
The panel heard that Gefter had overly aggressive teaching methods. He was impatient with students and made several of them feel upset and discouraged, rather than fostering a learning environment in which students could grow and develop.
The panel found Gefter guilty of professional misconduct and ordered him to appear before it to receive a reprimand.
It also directed the member to successfully complete, at his own expense, a pre-approved course on anger management and appropriate language to be used with students.
He needs to do so prior to undertaking any teaching position or any position for which a Certificate of Qualification and Registration is required.
In its decision, the panel stated, “Teachers are expected to encourage their students, regardless of a student’s proficiency in a particular discipline.”
Member: David Thomas Hay
Registration No: 284232
Decision: Revocation
A Discipline Committee panel revoked the teaching certificate of David Thomas Hay, a teacher formerly employed by the Simcoe County District School Board, for engaging in an inappropriate personal relationship with a female student.
Hay, who was certified to teach in June 1995, did not attend the hearing on July 12, 2017, but had legal representation.
Hay told the student about his sexual activities, advised her about her sexual activities, and suggested that, at some point in the future, they might engage in a sexual relationship. He also bought her movies and a vibrator as graduation gifts.
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, “It is completely unacceptable for members of the teaching profession to engage in sexual communications with students, regardless of whether the communications lead to other forms of physical sexual abuse or not.”
Member: William John Kemp
Registration No: 617393
Decision: Revocation
A Discipline Committee panel revoked the Certificate of Qualification and Registration of William John Kemp, a former teacher at the Halton District School Board, for sexual misconduct.
Licensed to teach in August 2011, Kemp did not attend the hearing on October 2, 2017, nor was he represented by legal counsel.
Kemp repeatedly failed to maintain appropriate boundaries with several students over an extended period of time. His actions amounted to sexual misconduct, which made several students feel very uncomfortable.
He invited students to meet off school property. He engaged in inappropriate personal communications with them via email and text message, including late at night and early in the morning.
His conduct represents a reprehensible pattern of grooming behaviour.
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, “The Member flagrantly abused his position of trust and authority, he failed to provide students with a physically and emotionally safe learning environment, and he jeopardized the public’s confidence in the teaching profession.”
Member: Farhez Lakhani
Registration No: 203080
Decision: Suspension, reprimand,
conditions
A Discipline Committee panel suspended College member Farhez Lakhani, a department head at the York Region District School Board, for disgraceful conduct.
Certified to teach in June 1995, Lakhani attended the hearing on August 16, 2017, with his legal counsel.
Lakhani purchased stolen goods from a student. He also encouraged other teachers to do the same and allowed the student to misappropriate property that belonged to the school.
Following an investigation by police, he was charged with possession of property obtained by crime under $5,000. The charge was withdrawn after Lakhani completed 50 hours of community service.
The Discipline Committee panel found Lakhani guilty of professional misconduct and suspended his Certificate of Qualification and Registration for two months. He was directed to appear before the committee immediately after the hearing to receive a reprimand.
He must also successfully complete, at his own expense, a course regarding professional ethics. He needs to do so within 90 days after the panel’s order.
In its decision, the panel stated, “Members of the profession are expected to serve as positive role models for students at all times, and the Member fell far short of this expectation.”
Member: Jacqueline Elizabeth Lavigne
Registration No: 486973
Decision: Revocation, reprimand
A Discipline Committee panel revoked the teaching certificate of Jacqueline Elizabeth Lavigne, a former teacher employed by the Waterloo Catholic District School Board, for sexually abusing a male student.
Lavigne, who was certified to teach in June 2005, did not attend the hearing on June 22, 2017, nor was she represented by legal counsel.
Lavigne had sexual intercourse with the student at her home. She also engaged in prolonged electronic communications of a sexual nature with him. Hundreds of messages were exchanged between her and the student. Consequently, the member was found guilty in criminal court of sexual exploitation.
The Discipline Committee panel found her guilty of professional misconduct and directed the Registrar to revoke her Certificate of Qualification and Registration.
The panel also ordered that she appear before it to receive a reprimand. She needs to do so within six months of the panel’s order.
In its written decision, the panel stated, “The Committee denounces the Member’s egregious conduct in the strongest terms.”
Member: Brian Anthony Mallette
Registration No: 458298
Decision: Revocation, reprimand
A Discipline Committee panel revoked the teaching certificate of Brian Anthony Mallette, an occasional teacher formerly employed by the Toronto District School Board, for possessing and accessing child pornography.
Mallette, who was certified to teach in July 2002, did not attend the hearing on August 16, 2017, and was not represented by legal counsel.
Mallette was found guilty in a criminal court of possessing and accessing child pornography. He was sentenced to four months of imprisonment and placed on probation for three years.
He had in his possession approximately 150 images of child pornography and 40 video files of varying length. Virtually all of the images and videos depicted pubescent boys, some looking as if they could be 10 to 12 years old.
The Discipline Committee panel found Mallette guilty of professional misconduct and directed the Registrar to revoke his Certificate of Qualification and Registration. He was also ordered to appear before the panel within 90 days of the order to receive a reprimand.
In its written decision, the panel stated, “Through his egregious conduct, the Member has jeopardized the public’s trust in the teaching profession, and he has perpetuated the cycle of violence and abuse involving children who are the subjects of pornography.”
Member: Kantilal Manga
Registration No: 244582
Decision: Suspension, reprimand,
conditions
A Discipline Committee panel suspended the certificate of Kantilal Manga, a former teacher employed by the Toronto District School Board, for a repeated pattern of insensitive and inappropriate conduct despite warnings and discipline from the school administration and the board.
Manga, who was certified to teach in August 1979, attended the hearing on June 1, 2017, and had legal representation
Manga behaved abusively toward students by making culturally insensitive comments and disparaging remarks regarding their academic abilities.
The Discipline Committee panel found him guilty of professional misconduct.
The panel ordered that his teaching certificate be suspended for four months and that he appear before it immediately after the hearing to receive a reprimand.
In addition, Manga was directed to complete, at his own expense, a course(s) on professional ethics and cultural sensitivity. 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, “The Committee was concerned by the Member’s lack of awareness and insight into the inappropriateness of his conduct and its impact on the well-being of his students.”
Member: Louis Gilles Parent, OCT
Registration No: 283438
Decision: Reprimand, conditions
A Discipline Committee panel reprimanded Louis Gilles Parent, a teacher employed by the Algoma District School Board, for inappropriate conduct
Parent, who was certified to teach in February 1998, attended the hearing on August 2, 2017, with his legal counsel.
Parent grabbed a disruptive student’s binder and dropped it onto the student’s desk from a height in order to get his attention. It landed on the student’s fingers.
The Discipline Committee panel found him guilty of professional misconduct.
The panel ordered that he appear before it to receive a reprimand.
In addition, he was directed to complete, at his own expense, a course on classroom management.
In its written decision, the panel stated, “The Member ought to have communicated his displeasure with the student’s behaviour using his words rather than resorting to the type of conduct in which he engaged.”
Member: Hendrik Christopher Reinders
Registration No: 152448
Decision: Revocation
A Discipline Committee panel revoked the teaching certificate of Hendrik Christopher Reinders, a teacher formerly employed by the Near North District School Board, for engaging in numerous acts of harassment and abuse of staff and students over the course of several years.
Reinders, who was certified to teach in June 1993, did not attend the hearings on March 22 and 23, 2017, and was not represented by legal counsel.
Reinders’ conduct was extremely serious. He harassed and threatened colleagues, and was insulting and abusive toward students. Examples of his behaviour include swearing in class, insulting a student’s appearance, threatening to physically harm students, and speaking about killing a colleague.
The panel noted that he did not show remorse for his actions; to the contrary, his lack of participation in the College’s disciplinary proceedings and his correspondence with College counsel show a failure to acknowledge that he may have committed serious misconduct and harmed others.
The Discipline Committee panel found Reinders guilty of professional misconduct and directed the Registrar to revoke his Certificate of Qualification and Registration.
The panel stated that the College exists to govern the profession in the public interest. Reinders’ refusal to abide by the College’s processes makes him ungovernable, which was an aggravating factor leading toward revocation.
In its written decision, the panel also stated that “staff and students need to be protected from the Member’s hostile and abusive behaviour.”
Member: Paul Szabo
Registration No: 251160
Decision: Reprimand, conditions
A Discipline Committee panel reprimanded Paul Szabo, a former teacher employed by the Upper Grand District School Board, for inappropriate comments and conduct in class.
Szabo, who was certified to teach in June 1985, was self-represented but did not attend the hearing on July 19, 2017.
Szabo repeatedly made harsh and abusive comments to his students. He demonstrated a profound lack of judgment, restraint and respect.
The Discipline Committee panel found him guilty of professional misconduct.
The panel ordered that he appear before it to receive a reprimand.
In addition, he was directed to complete, at his own expense, a course on anger management.
In its written decision, the panel stated, “Teaching is often challenging, but teachers must adhere to the standards of the profession in their classroom management and discipline. Members are expected to keep their composure at all times, to provide students with safe and supportive learning environments, or to seek assistance as needed.”
Member: Donald Ashley Thompson, OCT
Registration No: 440021
Decision: Reprimand, conditions
A Discipline Committee panel reprimanded Donald Ashley Thompson, a teacher with the Toronto District School Board, for a repeated pattern of inappropriate conduct.
Thompson, who was certified to teach in September 2001, attended the public hearing on June 12, 2017, with his legal counsel.
The panel heard that Thompson resorted to the use of, or the threat of using, physical force against students despite receiving warnings and disciplinary sanctions from the board.
During the latest incident, he raised his fist and made a punching motion toward or near a student.
He was charged with assault, but the charge was subsequently withdrawn in exchange for the member entering into a peace bond.
The panel found Thompson 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, Copies of the full decisions are available at oct-oeeo.ca/decisions. a pre-approved course on anger management and effective student discipline. He needs to do so prior to starting any position for which a Certificate of Qualification and Registration is required.
In its decision, the panel stated, “As adults and professionals, teachers are expected to keep their composure and to address difficult situations in a reasonable and professional manner.”
Member: Not identified
Decision: Revocation, reprimand
A Discipline Committee panel revoked the Certificate of Qualification and Registration of a College member.
The revocation is related to several criminal convictions resulting from his interactions with a student, including sexually abusing the student, possessing child pornography, and failing to comply with a condition not to go within 200 metres of the student’s place of residence and school.
He was sentenced to 33 months’ incarceration followed by three years’ probation.
The name of the member is not identified because the court ordered a publication ban, including the member’s name, to protect the identity of the student.
The panel heard that the member had an inappropriate relationship with the student. It started with them exchanging declarations of love and led to them engaging in sexual relations.
The Discipline Committee panel found him guilty of professional misconduct and directed the Registrar to revoke his teaching certificate. He was also directed to appear before the committee immediately after the hearing to receive a reprimand.
In its written decision, the panel stated that his conduct “was inexcusable and had a devastating impact on many, including the student and the student’s family, the Member’s family, the school community, and the profession at large.”
Copies of the full decisions are available at oct-oeeo.ca/decisions