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. Where the name of an employer is withheld, it is typically to protect the identity of students or to comply with a publication ban ordered by a court or the tribunal. Copies of the full decisions are available at oct.ca → Members → Complaints and Discipline → Decisions.

The College publishes professional advisories, available at oct-oeeo.ca/advisories, which are intended to inform members' professional judgment and practice. For more information about the Ethical Standards for the Teaching Profession, please visit oct-oeeo.ca/ethical.

For a glossary of terms used in these summaries, please visit oct-oeeo.ca/DecisionGlossary.

Member: Jennifer Carolyn Allen
Registration No: 425669
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel suspended the certificate of Jennifer Carolyn Allen, a teacher employed by the Toronto District School Board, for inappropriate conduct.

This matter was heard by the panel on October 17, 2019. Allen, who was certified to teach in July 1999, attended the hearing with her legal counsel.

Allen engaged in inappropriate physical contact with a student by hitting his arm and leaving a bruise.

She had previous disciplinary history with the board for similar behaviour, which led to an oral admonishment from the College.

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

The panel also ordered her to successfully complete, at her own expense, a course on anger management. She needs to do so within 90 days of the panel's order.

In its written decision, the panel stated, "Teachers are expected to serve as role models to students and refrain from acts that may cause a student injury."

Member: Annie Antonenko
Registration No: 257199
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel suspended the certificate of Annie Antonenko for her prolonged pattern of inappropriate behaviour despite repeated warnings by the administration of her school. She is a teacher employed by the Toronto District School Board.

Certified to teach in June 1988, Antonenko did not attend the hearing on August 26, 2019, but was represented by legal counsel.

Antonenko was repeatedly disrespectful and insensitive toward her students, especially those with a diverse cultural background. Among other things, she belittled and demeaned students, made sarcastic and racist comments to them and swore at them.

The Discipline Committee panel found Antonenko guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that her teaching certificate be suspended for five months. The panel also directed that she appear before it to receive a reprimand.

She must also successfully complete, at her own expense, a course on maintaining appropriate professional boundaries with students, classroom management, and diversity and sensitivity training. She needs to do so within 90 days prior to the date she returns to or starts a position for which a Certificate of Qualification and Registration is required.

In its written decision, the panel stated, "Engaging in such inappropriate behaviour is a clear breach of the standards of the profession and is a clear abuse of her authority as a teacher."

Member: Ellie Noreen L. Benn, OCT
Registration No: 101597
Decision: Reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel reprimanded Ellie Noreen L. Benn, a teacher formerly employed by the Toronto District School Board, for unprofessional conduct.

This matter was heard by the panel on November 15, 2019. Benn, who was certified to teach in June 1996, attended the hearing and had legal representation.

Benn demonstrated a pattern of concerning interactions between her and several students. Among other things, she:

asked students to maintain an uncomfortable physical position for several minutes;
lightly tapped students on the buttocks three times when they were misbehaving (which a colleague reported as spanking); and
hurt a student by picking him up and carrying him when he was not responding to instruction.

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

The panel also ordered her to successfully complete, at her own expense, a course covering boundaries with students and anger management. She must do so within 90 days of the panel's order.

In its written decision, the panel stated, "Members are also expected to conduct themselves in a composed and professional manner, without yelling at students or resorting to the inappropriate use of physical force against them, even in challenging circumstances."

Member: Marcella Mary Robbins Cadeau, OCT
Registration No: 197751
Decision: Reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel reprimanded Marcella Mary Robbins Cadeau, a teacher employed by the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board, for unprofessional conduct.

This matter was heard by the panel on November 19, 2019. Robbins Cadeau, who was certified to teach in June 1993, attended the hearing and had legal representation.

Robbins Cadeau removed about $115 from the school office, contrary to school policies and procedures, and misled the principal about what she had done.

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

The panel also ordered her to successfully complete, at her own expense, a course regarding ethics. She must do so within 90 days of the panel's order.

In its written decision, the panel stated, "Teachers are required to meet the ethical standards of trust and integrity."

Member: Craig Russell Cameron
Registration No: 481764
Decision: Revocation

A Discipline Committee panel revoked the Certificate of Qualification and Registration of Craig Russell Cameron for engaging in an inappropriate personal relationship with a female student. He was a teacher employed by the Simcoe County District School Board.

Cameron was licensed to teach in February 2005. He did not attend the hearing on October 24, 2019, but had legal representation.

Cameron crossed the boundaries of an appropriate teacher-student relationship when he started exchanging messages and sharing personal information with the student late at night and early in the morning. For example, over the course of about one month, they exchanged over 1,400 text messages.

He communicated with the student at length about personal issues including his family, his daily activities and his feelings, and he encouraged her to discuss personal issues and share feelings with him.

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 ought to have known that his behaviour with the Student was very inappropriate and that it could have been confusing and emotionally distressing for the Student."

Member: Robert Young Chung
Registration No: 494546
Decision: Revocation, reprimand

A Discipline Committee panel revoked the Certificate of Qualification and Registration of Robert Young Chung for criminal conduct. He was formerly employed by the Durham Catholic District School Board.

Chung was licensed to teach in August 2005. He did not attend the hearing on October 16, 2019, and had no legal representation.He engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a student that subsequently developed into a sexual relationship.

Chung was found guilty of sexual exploitation in a criminal court. He was sentenced to 30 months of incarceration and made subject to various ancillary orders. The Discipline Committee panel found him 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, "Engaging in the sexual abuse of a student is a clear breach of the standards of the profession and an abhorrent abuse of the Member's authority as a teacher."

Member: Marc-André Coulombe
Registration No: 422559
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel suspended the certificate of Marc-André Coulombe, a teacher employed by the Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est, for verbally abusing students to the point of making them cry.

In addition, Coulombe made inappropriate remarks, fell asleep in the classroom and left students unsupervised.

This matter was heard by the panel on September 17, 2019. Coulombe, who was certified to teach in February 1999, did not attend the hearing but had legal representation.

The Discipline Committee panel found Coulombe 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. He needs to do so within six months of the date of the order.

The panel also ordered him to successfully complete, at his own expense, a course on classroom management and anger management. He needs to do so within 120 days of the date of the order.

In its written decision, the panel stated, "The Member demonstrated a lack of consideration for the psychological well-being of his students and failed on several occasions to ensure a safe learning environment that promoted the students' learning."

Member: Darren James Dugan
Registration No: 276950
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel suspended the certificate of Darren James Dugan, a teacher employed by the Upper Canada District School Board, for inappropriate conduct.

This matter was heard by the panel on October 15, 2019. Dugan, who was certified to teach in August 1997, attended the hearing with his legal counsel.

Dugan engaged in an inappropriate personal relationship with a female student who was described as "fragile" by the school board. He was her teacher and coach.

His actions included giving her rides in his car, providing her with his telephone number so they could keep in touch over the summer break, allowing her to stay at his house while his family was present, and accompanying her to restaurants.

As a result, the student began to see him as a "father figure." She developed such an attachment to him that she wrote him a letter describing how much he meant to her and became distraught at the prospect of not seeing him over the summer.

The Discipline Committee panel found Dugan guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his teaching certificate be suspended for one month.

He was directed to appear before the panel to receive a reprimand.

The panel also ordered him to successfully complete, at his own expense, a course on boundary violations. He needs to do so within 90 days of the hearing.

In its written decision, the panel stated, "Vulnerable students may develop an unhealthy attachment to their teachers, and teachers must be careful to not foster inappropriate relationships with them."

Member: Qusai Ashik Gulamhusein
Registration No: 628671
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel suspended the certificate of Qusai Ashik Gulamhusein, a teacher formerly employed by the Toronto District School Board, for physically and verbally abusing students.

This matter was heard by the panel on November 15, 2019. Gulamhusein, who was certified to teach in April 2012, attended the hearing with his legal counsel.

Gulamhusein inappropriately made physical contact with several students by massaging or touching their shoulders and attempting to hug or hold them. He used inappropriate language and tone with students, including yelling, and also hit one student and tapped another with a metre or smart board stick.

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

The panel also ordered him to successfully complete, at his own expense, courses on anger management, classroom management and boundaries. He needs to do so within 120 days of the panel's order.

In its written decision, the panel stated, "By swearing, yelling and using inappropriate language, the Member abused students verbally. The Member physically abused students when he hit them with a metre or smart board stick and when he massaged a student."

Member: Susan Elizabeth Inch, OCT
Registration No: 478209
Decision: Reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel reprimanded Susan Elizabeth Inch, a teacher employed by the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board, for inappropriate conduct.

This matter was heard by the panel on October 24, 2019. Inch, who was certified to teach in August 2004, did not attend the hearing but had legal representation.

Inch made culturally insensitive remarks to a student that were psychologically or emotionally abusive.

She also used her cellphone to audio record students during class, which represented a clear error in judgment.

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

It also ordered her to successfully complete, at her own expense, a course in classroom management and cultural sensitivity. She must do so prior to commencing or resuming any teaching position requiring a Certificate of Qualification and Registration.

In its written decision, the panel stated, "Members are expected to serve as role models for students."

Member: John Werner Klassen
Registration No: 174576
Decision: Revocation, reprimand

A Discipline Committee panel revoked the Certificate of Qualification and Registration of John Werner Klassen for engaging in an inappropriate personal relationship with a female student.

Klassen was licensed to teach in June 1980. He did not attend the hearing on October 23, 2019, and had no legal representation.

Klassen spent time alone with the student on several occasions, resulting in them becoming confidants. He told her that no one needed to know about their conversations. He also sent her text messages, which included sexual innuendos.

Klassen also sent inappropriate text messages of a sexual nature to another female student. He made inappropriate comments about her appearance and told her that he could not stop thinking about her.

The Discipline Committee panel found him 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. He needs to appear before it within six months following the hearing.

In its written decision, the panel stated, "His conduct damaged the reputation of the profession by undermining the trust which the public places in teachers."

Member: Kevin Jack Joseph Marshall Laflèche (formerly known as Kevin Jack Marshall)
Registration No: 185417
Decision: Revocation

A Discipline Committee panel revoked the Certificate of Qualification and Registration of Kevin Jack Joseph Marshall Laflèche. His inadequate supervision exposed his students to the risk of injury. He was a teacher employed by the Conseil scolaire de district catholique de l'Est ontarien.

Laflèche was licensed to teach in June 1992. He did not attend the hearing on September 17, 2019, but had legal representation.

His conduct demonstrates a lack of commitment to his students' well-being. For example, he left his students unsupervised on several occasions. He was verbally and physically aggressive toward one student. He also failed to check whether another student needed help when he hurt his back.

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, "Teachers must always provide adequate care for the students under their professional supervision."

Member: Melissa Lefebvre
Registration No: 486956
Decision: Revocation, reprimand

A Discipline Committee panel revoked the teaching certificate of Melissa Lefebvre for sexually abusing a male student. She was formerly employed by the Lambton Kent District School Board.

Lefebvre had an inappropriate personal and sexual relationship with the student, which included kissing and sexual intercourse.

She was convicted of sexual exploitation and sentenced to 14 months of imprisonment and two years of probation. She was also made the subject of a number of ancillary orders.

Certified to teach in June 2005, Lefebvre did not attend the hearing on September 18, 2019, nor was she represented by legal counsel.

The Discipline Committee panel found Lefebvre guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that her Certificate of Qualification and Registration be revoked. The panel also ordered that she receive a reprimand.

In its decision, the panel stated, "Engaging in a sexual relationship with a student is a clear breach of the standards of the profession and a violation of a teacher's position of trust."

Member: John Barry MacDonald
Registration No: 199758
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel suspended the certificate of John Barry MacDonald, a teacher employed by the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board, for engaging in a pattern of inappropriate comments and conduct.

This matter was heard by the panel on October 22, 2019. MacDonald, who was certified to teach in June 1994, attended the hearing and had legal representation.

MacDonald repeatedly sexually harassed female colleagues and made a student feel uncomfortable by making inappropriate comments to her. His comments toward the student constituted psychological or emotional abuse. Among other things, he told her inappropriate jokes with foul language and unsuitable themes.

He also shared personal information with her and gave her a gift.

The Discipline Committee panel found him guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his teaching certificate be suspended for 20 months. He was directed to appear before it to receive a reprimand.

The panel also ordered him to successfully complete, at his own expense, a course on professional boundaries and boundary violations with students and colleagues. He needs to do so within 120 days of the panel's order.

In its written decision, the panel stated, "Teachers are expected to maintain appropriate boundaries with students and colleagues, to treat students and colleagues with respect and professionalism, and to model positive behaviour at all times."

Member: Lucas Thad McDonald
Registration No: 430101
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel suspended the teaching certificate of Lucas Thad McDonald, a teacher employed by the Durham District School Board, for retweeting numerous inappropriate posts on social media.

McDonald, who was certified to teach in September 1999, attended the hearing on October 10, 2019. He had legal representation.

McDonald's retweeted posts included offensive comments about Muslims, immigrants, refugees and individuals who identify with a gender different from their gender assigned at birth.

The College published an advisory in 2011 warning members to maintain professional boundaries in all forms of technology-related communication, referencing the Supreme Court's ruling in Ross v. New Brunswick School District No.15, which stipulates that teachers' off-duty conduct is relevant to their suitability to teach.

The Discipline Committee panel found McDonald guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his certificate be suspended for 10 days. He was directed to appear before the panel to receive a reprimand. He needs to do so within 90 days of the panel's order.

In addition, he was directed to complete a course of instruction, at his own expense, regarding appropriate communications and sensitivity training. He needs to do so within 120 days of the panel's order.

In its written decision, the panel stated, "The Member's behaviour had the potential to jeopardize his professional relationships with students and erode the public's trust in teachers."

Member: Albert Chi Cheong Ngai
Registration No: 499293
Decision: Revocation, reprimand

A Discipline Committee panel revoked the Certificate of Qualification and Registration of Albert Chi Cheong Ngai for sexually abusing a student. He was employed by the Toronto District School Board.

Ngai was licensed to teach in January 2006. He did not attend the hearing on July 25, 2019, but had legal representation.

Ngai and a female student began to see each other socially, which led to a personal relationship that developed into a romantic and sexual relationship. They subsequently moved in together and remain in a committed relationship.

In its written decision, the panel stated, "As a teacher at the School, and, in particular, as a teacher of the Student, he stood in a position of trust and authority to her which was highly incompatible with a sexual relationship."

Member: Antonietta Paik
Registration No: 432084
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel suspended the certificate of Antonietta Paik, a teacher formerly employed by the York Catholic District School Board, for criminal conduct.

This matter was heard by the panel on October 16, 2019. Paik, who was certified to teach in June 2000, attended the hearing with her legal counsel.

Paik engaged in a pattern of fraudulent behaviour when she submitted a total of $120,493.80 in fraudulent claims to her medical benefits provider.

In a criminal court, she was found guilty of fraud and uttering a forged document. She was sentenced to 18 months' imprisonment and placed on probation for two years.

The Discipline Committee panel found Paik guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that her teaching certificate be suspended for 12 months. She was directed to appear before the panel to receive a reprimand.

The panel also ordered her to successfully complete, at her own expense, a course on ethics. She needs to do so no more than 12 months before starting or returning to a teaching position.

In its written decision, the panel stated, "Her fraudulent behaviour was disgraceful, dishonourable, unprofessional and unbecoming of a member."

Member: Joseph Dave Marcel Rancourt
Registration No: 441865
Decision: Revocation, reprimand

A Discipline Committee panel revoked the Certificate of Qualification and Registration of Joseph Dave Marcel Rancourt for abusing a student sexually. He was employed by the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario.

Rancourt was licensed to teach in August 2002. He did not attend the hearing on September 23, 2019, and had no legal representation.

Rancourt maintained a sexual relationship with one of his students.

He was convicted of one count of sexual exploitation and one count of sexual assault, and was sentenced to 12 months of imprisonment. He appealed his conviction and sentence. As of September 23, 2019, his appeal had not yet been decided.

In its written decision, the panel stated, "The Member abused his position of trust and authority as a teacher and his conduct profoundly undermines the reputation of the teaching profession."

Member: Jeffrey Alan Reid, OCT
Registration No: 587324
Decision: Reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel reprimanded Jeffrey Alan Reid, a teacher employed by the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board, for verbally abusing a student.

This matter was heard by the panel on October 28, 2019. Reid, who was certified to teach in June 2010, attended the hearing with his legal counsel.

Reid made hurtful and dismissive remarks toward a student that humiliated him in front of his peers. Though Reid did not intend to offend the student, his comments nonetheless constituted verbal abuse.

The Discipline Committee panel found Reid 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 on classroom management and professional communication. He needs to do so within 180 days of the panel's order.

In its written decision, the panel stated, "As part of their professional practice, teachers must demonstrate professionalism, respect and a commitment to student well-being in all their interactions with students."

Member: Ian William McGregor Smith
Registration No: 523821
Decision: Revocation, reprimand

A Discipline Committee panel revoked the Certificate of Qualification and Registration of Ian William McGregor Smith, a teacher formerly employed by the Greater Essex County District School Board, for sexually abusing a female student.

Licensed to teach in November 2007, Smith attended the hearing on October 15, 2019. He had legal representation.

Smith had an inappropriate relationship with a student. He spent time alone with her, spoke with her about his personal issues, made inappropriate comments to her (such as complimenting her on her appearance), gave her rides in his car, invited her into his home, and hugged and kissed her.

After she graduated, he would consume alcohol and marijuana with her and had a single sexual encounter with her.

He also inappropriately and repeatedly touched another student on the back, shoulders and areas surrounding the neck.

In its written decision, the panel stated, "His behaviour towards the students constitutes physical, psychological, emotional and sexual abuse."

Member: Kari Dawn Snyder, OCT
Registration No: 436266
Decision: Reprimand, conditions

A Discipline Committee panel reprimanded Kari Dawn Snyder, a teacher employed by the Toronto District School Board, for inappropriate physical contact with a student.

The physical contact caused her fingernail to scratch the student and leave a mark.

This matter was heard by the panel on October 11, 2019. Snyder, who was certified to teach in June 2000, attended the hearing with her legal counsel.

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

The panel also ordered her to successfully complete, at her own expense, a course on classroom management. She must do so within 90 days of the panel's order.

In its written decision, the panel stated, "Members are expected to serve as role models for students."

Member: Moses Michael Vanker Ashraf Mori Suzuki
Registration No: 619299
Decision: Revocation, costs

A Discipline Committee panel revoked the certificate of College member Moses Michael Vanker Ashraf Mori Suzuki for a pattern of unprofessional conduct.

Suzuki, who was a teacher in Manitoba, engaged in aggressive and unprofessional behaviour on multiple occasions. His behaviour included making obscene, offensive and demeaning comments to a student and the student's parent via Facebook.

This matter was heard by the panel on June 20, 2019. Suzuki, who was certified to teach in August 2011, did not attend the hearing. He had no legal representation.

The Discipline Committee panel found him guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his teaching certificate be revoked.

The member was ordered to pay $10,000 in costs.

In its written decision, the panel stated, "Through his repugnant conduct, the Member has demonstrated that he lacks the professional judgment to remain a member of the teaching profession in Ontario."

Member: Andrew Alexander Weglarz
Registration No: 647896
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions, costs

A Discipline Committee panel suspended the certificate of Andrew Alexander Weglarz, a teacher employed by a Toronto private school, for inappropriate conduct.

This matter was heard by the panel on July 15 and 16, 2019. Weglarz, who was certified to teach in July 2013, did not attend the hearing. He had no legal representation.

Weglarz sent highly offensive emails to school staff with sexually explicit, misogynistic and homophobic content.

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

In addition, the panel ordered him to successfully complete, at his own expense, a course on appropriate boundaries with colleagues. He needs to do so prior to starting a teaching position or any position for which a Certificate of Qualification and Registration is required.

The member was ordered to pay $20,000 in costs within six months of the panel's decision.

In its written decision, the panel stated, "[T]he Member undermined the reputation of the teaching profession and the trust and confidence that the public places in teachers."

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