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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: Robert Luke Avison
Registration No: 191966
Decision: Suspension, reprimand,
conditions
A Discipline Committee panel suspended the certificate of Robert Luke Avison, a teacher employed by the Toronto District School Board, for breaching appropriate professional boundaries with a female student.
This matter was heard by the panel on November 27, 2018. Avison, who was certified to teach in February 1992, attended the hearing with his legal counsel.
Avison shared personal details with the student, such as his phone number. He also counselled her on a few occasions with respect to her personal struggles. He often did so alone with her at the back of his classroom.
The panel found Avison guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his teaching certificate be suspended for three months. He was also directed to appear before the panel to receive a reprimand.
The panel also ordered him to successfully complete, at his own expense, a course on professional boundaries. He needs to do so prior to starting or returning to a teaching position or any position for which a Certificate of Qualification and Registration is required.
In its written decision, the panel stated, “While the Committee recognizes that the Member may have genuinely intended to help the Student, he was not properly qualified to do so and should therefore have avoided becoming overly involved in the Student’s personal affairs.”
Member: Jason Douglas Bagshaw, OCT
Registration No: 510655
Decision: Reprimand, conditions
A Discipline Committee panel reprimanded Jason Douglas Bagshaw, a teacher employed by the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, for inappropriate electronic communications with students.
This matter was heard by the panel on November 15, 2018. Bagshaw, who was certified to teach in October 2006, attended the hearing with his legal counsel.
Bagshaw repeatedly communicated with two students via Instagram about topics unrelated to school work. He accepted the students’ requests to follow him on social media.
He posted an inappropriate joke on social media that these two students were able to see because they were his only followers at the time. He also commented on a photograph that a student had sent him, which depicted the student in his dark bedroom in the middle of the night.
The panel found Bagshaw guilty of professional misconduct and directed him to appear before it to receive a reprimand.
It also ordered him to successfully complete, at his own expense, a course regarding boundaries. He must do so within 90 days of the panel’s written decision.
In its written decision, the panel stated, “Teachers should avoid ‘follow’ requests from students and, to minimize the risks inherent with the use of social media, they should limit their electronic communications to established educational platforms, rather than public platforms like Instagram.”
Member: Paul Thomas Blake
Registration No: 447181
Decision: Revocation
A Discipline Committee panel revoked the teaching certificate of Paul Thomas Blake, formerly employed by the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board, for professional misconduct.
Certified to teach in July 2001, Blake represented himself but did not attend the hearing on June 19, 2018.
Blake vandalized school property and equipment and/or removed school equipment from the school without permission.
He also engaged in inappropriate use of electronic communications, including:
The panel found Blake guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his Certificate of Qualification and Registration be revoked.
In its written decision, the panel stated, “There is no place in the profession for members who intentionally target other members of the profession. Revocation is the only penalty that appropriately responds to professional misconduct of this nature.”
Member: Matthew Francis
Chong Yen, OCT
Registration No: 278008
Decision: Reprimand, conditions, costs
A Discipline Committee panel ordered that Matthew Francis Chong Yen, a teacher employed by the Toronto District School Board, be reprimanded for unprofessional conduct.
This matter was heard by the panel on September 20 and 21, 2018. Chong Yen, who was certified to teach in August 1997, was self-represented, but did not attend the hearing.
Chong Yen made inappropriate or demeaning comments to students and behaved in an offensive or unprofessional manner. For example, he belittled a student, demonstrated an inability to control his temper, used inappropriate language, and behaved unprofessionally in class.
His inappropriate conduct was repeated and he did not improve his behaviour after the school administration intervened on several occasions.
The panel found Chong Yen guilty of professional misconduct and directed him to appear before it to receive a reprimand. He needs to do so within 120 days of the panel’s order.
The panel also ordered him to successfully complete, at his own expense, a course in classroom management. He must do so within 120 days of the panel’s written decision.
He must also pay costs of $7,500 to the College within 120 days of the written decision. The panel was of the view that it was appropriate to make a costs award in this case because Chong Yen was uncooperative with the College and refused to engage in the College’s discipline process in any way, despite the College’s numerous attempts to communicate with him.
In its decision, the panel stated, “Members of the profession must maintain their composure, even when dealing with challenging issues in the classroom.”
Member: Sonya Marie Yvette Dean
Registration No: 278606
Decision: Suspension, reprimand,
undertaking
A Discipline Committee panel suspended the teaching certificate of Sonya Marie Yvette Dean, an ex-teacher formerly employed by the Waterloo Region District School Board, for a pattern of inappropriate conduct.
Dean, who was certified to teach in November 1997, did not attend the hearing on November 30, 2018 but was represented by legal counsel.
Her misconduct includes purchasing alcohol for students, spending time with students outside of school and during the evening, and engaging in inappropriate electronic communications with students.
Dean resigned her membership with the College and has undertaken not to reapply to the College or to any other provincial college regulating the profession of teaching in Canada.
The panel found Dean guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that her certificate be suspended for 12 months. She was also directed to appear before the panel to receive a reprimand.
In its written decision, the panel stated, “Teachers must be cautious when engaging with students online and they must maintain appropriate professional boundaries with students at all times. Members of the profession are also expected to serve as role models for students, and it is therefore inappropriate for teachers to discuss alcohol consumption with students and to have conversations of a personal nature with students on social media.”
Member: Salvatore De Mare, OCT
Registration No: 257680
Decision: Reprimand, conditions
A Discipline Committee panel reprimanded Salvatore De Mare, an occasional teacher employed by the Toronto District School Board, for mistreating two students.
This matter was heard by the panel on December 14, 2018. De Mare, who was certified to teach in September 1988, attended the hearing with his legal counsel.
While redirecting a group of students back to their seats, De Mare took one of them by the wrist and pushed or pulled the student toward his chair. He also pulled another student’s shirt collar and told him to sit down.
The panel found De Mare 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 or courses regarding appropriate boundaries and boundary violation issues, and classroom management. He must do so within 90 days of its written decision.
In its decision, the panel stated, “If the Member needed to redirect these students to their seats, he ought to have told them to sit down without pushing or pulling them.”
Member: Ian Dwight Gray
Registration No: 418521
Decision: Suspension, reprimand,
conditions
A Discipline Committee panel suspended the certificate of Ian Dwight Gray, a teacher formerly employed by the Toronto District School Board, for a pattern of unprofessional conduct.
His inappropriate conduct included:
This matter was heard by the panel on October 12, 2017. Gray, who was certified to teach in July 1998, did not attend the hearing and did not have legal representation.
The panel found him guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his teaching certificate be suspended for six months.
He was also directed to appear before the panel to receive a reprimand prior to starting a teaching position or any position for which a Certificate of Qualification and Registration (CQR) is required.
The panel also ordered him to successfully complete, at his own expense, a course on appropriate boundaries and anger management. He needs to do so prior to starting a teaching position or any position requiring a CQR.
In its written decision, the panel stated, “Members of the teaching profession are expected to maintain respectful teacher/student boundaries and to serve as positive role models for students.”
Member: Brent Lawrence
Douglas Hachborn
Registration No: 492217
Decision: Revocation
A Discipline Committee panel revoked the certificate of Brent Lawrence Douglas Hachborn, a former viceprincipal at the Grand Erie District School Board, for egregious misconduct.
Hachborn placed a hidden camera in a staff washroom at the school. He used this camera to make video recordings of staff members using the toilet without their knowledge or consent, and retrieved those recordings for his own personal gratification.
He was found guilty of nine counts of voyeurism in a criminal court and received a conditional sentence of 16 months, followed by two years’ probation.
Certified to teach in September 2005, Hachborn did not attend the hearing on October 23, 2018, and was not represented by legal counsel.
The panel found Hachborn guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his Certificate of Qualification and Registration be revoked.
In its written decision, the panel stated, “His misconduct demonstrated a profound lack of judgment, violated any sense of public decency, and constituted a severe breach of public trust. As a result, the Member has lost the privilege of holding a Certificate of Qualification and Registration and being a member of the teaching profession in Ontario.”
Member: Richard John Hamilton
Registration No: 424437
Decision: Revocation
A Discipline Committee panel revoked the teaching certificate of Richard John Hamilton, a former vice-principal with the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario, who was convicted of assault.
Certified to teach in June 1999, Hamilton did not attend his hearing on October 23, 2018, and did not have legal representation.
Hamilton assaulted a child by intentionally pushing a table at her, causing a bruise on her knee.
He received a conditional discharge, consisting of 18 months of probation with additional terms, including no contact with the child.
The panel found Hamilton guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his Certificate of Qualification and Registration be revoked.
In its written decision, the panel stated, “Members of the profession are expected to adhere to the standards of the profession at all times, even when they are "off duty."
Member: Barry Norman Hutton, OCT
Registration No: 114097
Decision: Reprimand, conditions
A Discipline Committee panel reprimanded Barry Norman Hutton, a teacher employed by the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board, for inappropriate, sarcastic and demeaning behaviour.
This matter was heard by the panel on November 29, 2018. Hutton, who was certified to teach in June 1972, attended the hearing with his legal counsel.
Hutton repeatedly mocked students and put them down. He told two students that he hoped they would not cause any trouble, even though they “don’t look like terrorists.” He also grabbed a student’s leg, causing the student to fall to the ground.
The panel found Hutton guilty of professional misconduct and directed him to appear before it to receive a reprimand.
It also ordered him to successfully complete, at his own expense, a course in classroom management. He must do so within 90 days of the panel’s order.
In its written decision, the panel stated, “The Member’s rude and obnoxious conduct undermines the public’s trust and confidence in the teaching profession and it is unacceptable.”
Member: Jaclyn Lindsay Jones
Registration No: 529836
Decision: Revocation, reprimand
A Discipline Committee panel revoked the Certificate of Qualification and Registration of Jaclyn Lindsay Jones for sexually abusing male students. She was formerly employed by the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board.
Certified to teach in August 2008, Jones represented herself but did not attend the hearing held on November 27, 2018.
Jones engaged in sexual touching of students, communication of a sexual nature with students, and transmission of sexual images.
She was found guilty of numerous criminal charges and was sentenced to two years in prison.
The panel found her guilty of professional misconduct and directed the Registrar to revoke her Certificate of Qualification and Registration. It also directed that she receive a reprimand.
In its written decision, the panel stated, “The Committee denounces the Member’s egregious misconduct in the strongest terms.”
Member: Christian Kpodjie, OCT
Registration No: 522702
Decision: Reprimand, conditions
A Discipline Committee panel reprimanded Christian Kpodjie, a teacher formerly employed by the Toronto District School Board, for inappropriate and unprofessional conduct.
This matter was heard by the panel on November 6, 2018. Kpodjie, who was certified to teach in November 2007, attended the hearing with his legal counsel.
Kpodjie failed to maintain appropriate boundaries with his students by calling female students “Beautiful,” “Sweetheart” and “Pretty,” and by making physical contact with a number of students, which included pinching their cheeks, patting them on the head, stroking their arms, and kissing their cheeks and hands.
Although his conduct was not of a sexual nature, it was nevertheless repeated and inappropriate.
The Discipline Committee panel found Kpodjie 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 in appropriate boundaries and boundary violation issues. He must do so prior to starting or resuming any teaching position or any position for which a teaching certificate is required.
In its written decision, the panel stated, “Because members of the profession hold a unique position of trust and authority, they must maintain appropriate professional boundaries at all times and they must not engage in overly familial behaviour with students. The significant power imbalance that exists between teachers and students is such that teachers should never make unnecessary physical contact with students. This type of behaviour often makes students feel uncomfortable and can negatively affect their experience at school.”
Member: Christopher Matthew Langlois
Registration No: 663100
Decision: Suspension, reprimand,
conditions
A Discipline Committee panel suspended the certificate of College member Christopher Matthew Langlois for inappropriate conduct.
This matter was heard by the panel on September 17, 2018. Langlois, who was certified to teach in February 2016, did not attend the hearing and did not have legal representation.
Langlois was teaching at a school where he was required to live in the boys’ boarding house and provide supervision to boarding students.
He failed to maintain appropriate professional boundaries by allowing adolescent students to visit his room in the evening, by taking them on a late-night outing to a restaurant in his personal vehicle, and by taking them on an overnight trip without school approval.
The panel found him guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his teaching certificate be suspended for six months. He was ordered to receive a reprimand.
The panel also ordered him to successfully complete, at his own expense, a course on boundary violations and professional ethics. He needs to do so prior to starting a teaching position or any position for which a Certificate of Qualification and Registration is required.
In its written decision, the panel stated, “Members of the teaching profession hold a unique position of trust and authority, and as a result, members are expected to maintain professional boundaries with students at all times.”
Member: Tom William Maloney
Registration No: 179192
Decision: Revocation, reprimand
A Discipline Committee panel revoked the Certificate of Qualification and Registration of Tom William Maloney for conduct that was of a sexualized nature. He was a teacher formerly employed by the Waterloo Region District School Board.
Certified to teach in June 1990, neither Maloney nor his legal counsel attended the hearing on November 5, 2018.
His misconduct included buttoning up a student’s piece of clothing in front of the class and touching her body in the process. Several students reported that he also looked at their breasts, buttocks or crotch.
Maloney also invited students over to his house to carve pumpkins, eat popsicles, and lie on his couch.
The panel observed that, “Although the definition of sexual abuse in section 1 of the [Ontario College of Teachers] Act includes more overt acts, such as sexual intercourse or sexual touching, it also includes ‘(c) behaviour or remarks of a sexual nature by a member toward a student’.” The panel added that, “The definition does not require that a member intended the remarks or behaviour to be of a sexual nature.”
The panel found him guilty of professional misconduct and directed the Registrar to revoke his Certificate of Qualification and Registration.
The panel also ordered that he receive a reprimand.
In its written decision, the panel stated that through his concerning conduct “the Member violated the trust placed in him as a teacher by parents, students and the public, and he undermined the reputation of the teaching profession.”
Member: Dinah Cherise
Magdalene Mate
Registration No: 437930
Decision: Suspension, reprimand,
conditions
A Discipline Committee panel suspended the teaching certificate of Dinah Cherise Magdalene Mate for a pattern of inappropriate conduct despite prior warnings and discipline from the Toronto District School Board where she was formerly employed as a teacher.
Mate, who was certified to teach in June 2000, attended the hearing on November 14, 2018, and had legal representation.
Her misconduct formed a troubling pattern of disrespectful, unprofessional and abusive behaviour. For example, she made a number of demeaning and abusive comments to students. She was also physically abusive by pushing students.
The Discipline Committee panel found Mate guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that her certificate be suspended for six months. She was also directed to appear before the panel to receive a reprimand.
In addition, she was directed to complete a course/course(s) of instruction, at her own expense, regarding anger management and appropriate classroom communications. She needs to do so prior to starting a teaching position or any position for which a Certificate of Qualification and Registration is required.
In its written decision, the panel stated, “The Member’s rough and aggressive interactions with students [were] unacceptable. Members of the profession must not use unnecessary physical force against students.”
Member: Jane Valerie Mathews
Registration No: 417654
Decision: Reprimand
A Discipline Committee panel reprimanded Jane Valerie Mathews, a teacher formerly employed by the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board, for unprofessional conduct.
Mathews, who was certified to teach in August 1998, attended the hearing on November 29, 2018, via video conference, and her legal counsel attended in person.
Mathews slid a student across a floor by his ankle instead of using a more appropriate classroom management strategy.
The panel found Mathews guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that she appear before it to receive a reprimand.
In its written decision, the panel stated, “Members of the profession must conduct themselves in a composed and professional manner, without resorting to the inappropriate use of physical force against students, even under challenging circumstances.”
Member: Jeffrey Claude Pilon
Registration No: 618266
Decision: Revocation, reprimand
A Discipline Committee panel revoked the Certificate of Qualification and Registration of Jeffrey Claude Pilon, a teacher formerly employed by the Rainbow District School Board, for sexually abusing a female student.
Certified to teach in July 2011, Pilon did not attend the hearing on November 14, 2018, but had legal representation.
Pilon began an inappropriate personal relationship with a student that developed into a sexual relationship about one month later. He engaged in sexual intercourse with the student and instructed her not to disclose the sexual relationship to others.
The panel found Pilon guilty of professional misconduct and directed the Registrar to revoke his Certificate of Qualification and Registration.
The panel also directed that he receive a reprimand.
In its written decision, the panel stated, “The Member’s misconduct has undermined the reputation of the teaching profession, and has seriously broken the trust that parents, students and the public place in teachers.”
Member: Stephen William Roloson, OCT
Registration No: 569777
Decision: Reprimand, conditions
A Discipline Committee panel reprimanded Stephen William Roloson, a teacher formerly employed by the Upper Grand District School Board, for dishonest conduct.
This matter was heard by the panel on December 10, 2018. Roloson, who was certified to teach in May 2009, attended the hearing with his legal counsel.
Roloson inappropriately used sick days on three occasions to perform tasks relating to his personal eventplanning business. He deceived his board by telling them that he was either ill or receiving medical tests on these days, which was not the case.
The panel found Roloson guilty of professional misconduct and directed him to appear before it to receive a reprimand.
It also ordered him to successfully complete, at his own expense, a course in ethical practice. He must do so within 90 days of the panel’s written decision.
In its written decision, the panel stated, “Members of the profession are expected to conduct themselves with integrity and to uphold the principles of 'truth, justice and loyalty' as set out at subsection 264(1)(c) [of] the Education Act.”
Member: Patrick Barry Uhlman
Registration No: 466380
Decision: Suspension, reprimand
Discipline Committee panel suspended the teaching certificate of Patrick Barry Uhlman, a teacher formerly employed by the Lambton Kent District School Board, for unprofessional conduct.
Uhlman, who was certified to teach in June 2003, did not attend the first part of the hearing on July 27, 2018, but had legal representation. Uhlman attendedthe second part of the hearing on November 20, 2018 by telephone, but was no longer represented by counsel at that time.
Uhlman accessed pornography at school, using a school board computer that could be accessed by students.
He resigned his membership with the College.
The Discipline Committee panel found Uhlman guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his certificate be suspended for 10 months. He was also directed to appear before the panel to receive a reprimand.
In its written decision, the panel stated that by accessing pornography at school, “the Member undermined the trust of both students and the public in the teaching profession.”
Copies of the full decisions are available at oct-oeeo.ca/decisions.