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Three-member panels of the Discipline Committee conduct public hearings into cases of alleged incompetence or professional misconduct. 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: Tochéhou Sosthène Polycarpe Adeossi
Registration No: 653741
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions
A Discipline Committee panel suspended the certificate of Tochéhou Sosthène Polycarpe Adeossi for physically abusing students. He was a long-term supply teacher employed by the Conseil scolaire catholique Franco-Nord.
Certified to teach in February 2015, Adeossi attended the hearing on November 10, 2020, with his legal counsel.
Adeossi kicked the right thigh of a student, who was sitting on the floor, to prompt him to stand up, and pulled certain students by the arm or the hand. His conduct was repeated in more than one school and with several students.
The Discipline Committee panel found Adeossi guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his teaching certificate be suspended for four months. The panel also directed that he appear before it to receive a reprimand.
Adeossi must also successfully complete, at his own expense, courses in anger management and effective classroom management. He needs to do so within 120 days of the decision.
In its written decision, the panel stated, "The profession and the public do not tolerate teachers' [sic] using physical force to manage students' behaviour."
Member: David Alexandre Anseline
Registration No: 642168
Decision: Revocation, reprimand
A Discipline Committee panel revoked the teaching certificate of David Alexandre Anseline for sexually, emotionally and verbally abusing students. He was formerly employed by the Toronto District School Board.
Certified to teach in June 2013, Anseline did not attend the hearing on November 25, 2020, but was represented by legal counsel.
Anseline discussed topics of a sexual nature with students in his classroom after school. He also exchanged personal text messages in which he asked a student about her sexual preferences and whether she masturbates and watches pornography, among other inappropriate topics.
The definition of sexual abuse in the Ontario College of Teachers Act includes behaviour or remarks of a sexual nature toward a student.
The Discipline Committee panel found Anseline guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his Certificate of Qualification and Registration be revoked. The panel also ordered that he receive a reprimand.
In its decision, the panel stated, "The Member's conduct was entirely improper given his position of trust and authority as a teacher."
Member: Maridul Bhalla
Registration No: 510260
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions
A Discipline Committee panel suspended the teaching certificate of Maridul Bhalla for abusive conduct against a person. He is a teacher employed by the Toronto District School Board.
Bhalla, who was certified to teach in January 2007, attended the hearing on November 23, 2020. He had legal representation.
Bhalla physically and verbally abused a person on at least two occasions. He was charged with assault and uttering a threat to cause death or bodily harm.
The criminal charges were withdrawn after Bhalla entered into a 12-month common law peace bond.
The Discipline Committee panel found Bhalla guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his certificate be suspended for three months. He was also directed to appear before the panel to receive a reprimand.
In addition, he was directed to complete a course of instruction, at his own expense, regarding anger management. He needs to do so within 90 days of the panel's order.
In its written decision, the panel stated, "The coursework will remind the Member of his obligations as a trusted member of the community and is intended to ensure that he will not repeat similar misconduct either in the classroom or in the community."
Member: David Jonathan Brooks
Registration No: 523507
Decision: Revocation, reprimand
A Discipline Committee panel revoked the teaching certificate of David Jonathan Brooks, a teacher formerly employed by the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board, for sexually abusing a female student.
Certified to teach in September 2007, Brooks did not attend the hearing on November 27, 2020, but was represented by legal counsel.
Brooks was not the student's teacher and the student did not attend his school. Brooks hugged the student in an inappropriate manner, kissed her on the cheeks and lips, and placed his hands on her breasts over her clothes.
In a criminal court, he pled guilty to and was found guilty of sexual assault.
Brooks received a conditional discharge and was placed on probation for 12 months. He was also made subject to several ancillary orders.
The Discipline Committee panel found Brooks guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his Certificate of Qualification and Registration be revoked. The panel also ordered that he receive a reprimand.
In its decision, the panel stated, "The public's trust in the teaching profession is eroded when members of the profession sexually abuse students."
Member: Paul Jacques John Chamberland
Registration No: 520257
Decision: Revocation, reprimand
A Discipline Committee panel revoked the teaching certificate of Paul Jacques John Chamberland for engaging in an inappropriate personal relationship with a female student. He was formerly employed by the Upper Grand District School Board.
Certified to teach in August 2007, Chamberland did not attend the hearing on December 3 and 14, 2020. He was not represented by legal counsel.
Chamberland frequently met with the student outside of class time, sent her text messages, and shared inappropriate personal information with her. He also wrote a number of notes that included disturbing comments of a sexual nature, sexual references about his students, and allusions to a secret future relationship with the student in question.
The Discipline Committee panel found Chamberland guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his Certificate of Qualification and Registration be revoked. The panel also ordered that he receive a reprimand.
In its decision, the panel stated, "The public's trust in the teaching profession is eroded when members abuse their position of trust and authority by emotionally and sexually abusing their students."
Member: Nadia Charland
Registration No: 258021
Decision: Revocation, reprimand
A Discipline Committee panel revoked the teaching certificate of Nadia Charland for engaging in an inappropriate personal relationship with a male student. Charland was formerly employed by the Conseil scolaire public du Nord-Est de l'Ontario.
Certified to teach in June 1993, Charland did not attend the hearing on October 9, 2020, but was represented by legal counsel.
Charland's professional misconduct included providing cigarettes and alcohol to the student, allowing him to spend the night at her home, and giving him a kiss.
The Discipline Committee panel found Charland 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, "Public confidence in the teaching profession is eroded when members abuse their position of trust and authority in order to abuse a student sexually and emotionally."
Member: Paul Chauvin
Registration No: 199564
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions
A Discipline Committee panel suspended the teaching certificate of Paul Chauvin for persistent inappropriate conduct in spite of previous disciplinary measures imposed by his employer and the College. He is a teacher employed by the Conseil scolaire catholique Providence.
Chauvin, who was certified to teach in June 1993, attended the hearing on November 10, 2020. He had legal representation.
His misconduct included ridiculing a student in the classroom, shouting, making inappropriate remarks and using crude language when talking to students.
The Discipline Committee panel found Chauvin guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his certificate be suspended for two months. He was also directed to appear before the panel to receive a reprimand.
In addition, he was directed to complete a course of instruction, at his own expense, regarding anger management. He needs to do so within 120 days of the panel's order.
In its written decision, the panel stated, "Teachers must always control their emotions, demonstrate effective classroom management even in trying circumstances, and behave professionally and respectfully at all times."
Member: David Albert Corlett
Registration No: 404204
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions
A Discipline Committee panel suspended the teaching certificate of David Albert Corlett for verbally, physically, and psychologically or emotionally abusing students. He is a teacher employed by the Toronto District School Board.
Corlett, who was certified to teach in June 1995, attended the hearing on December 3 and 16, 2020. He had legal representation.
His misconduct included making repeated threatening comments to his students. Corlett told students that he would kill them, that he would break their leg, and that he would break their arm.
He also physically abused his students on three occasions. He did so by pulling a student's chair out from under her, pulling a student across the room by holding on to the sleeve of his shirt, and by putting his hands on a student's shoulders and twisting the student around.
The Discipline Committee panel found Corlett guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his certificate be suspended for two months. He was also directed to appear before the panel to receive a reprimand.
In addition, he was directed to complete courses of instruction, at his own expense, regarding classroom management and anger management. He needs to do so within 180 days of the panel's order.
In its written decision, the panel stated, "This conduct undermines the reputation of the teaching profession and violates the trust that parents, students and the public place in teachers."
Member: Jack Harold Dundas, OCT
Registration No: 276129
Decision: Reprimand, conditions
A Discipline Committee panel reprimanded Jack Harold Dundas for dishonest conduct. He is employed by the London District Catholic School Board.
Certified to teach in February 1997, Dundas attended the hearing on September 30, 2020, and was represented by legal counsel.
Dundas intentionally removed the final examination for a course from a storage area in the school, which facilitated an opportunity for a student to commit academic dishonesty. Dundas intended to provide the examination to a student who was enrolled in that course. Dundas indicated that he then reconsidered, but the student found the examination in the meantime.
The Discipline Committee panel found him guilty of professional misconduct and directed that he appear before it to receive a reprimand.
He must also successfully complete, at his own expense, a course on professional ethics and the standards of the teaching profession.
In its written decision, the panel stated, "The Member's conduct put his integrity as a teacher into question as well as the integrity and fairness of the assessment process."
Member: Marieanne Nancy Hunt
Registration No: 434276
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions
A Discipline Committee panel suspended the teaching certificate of Marieanne Nancy Hunt for engaging in a concerning pattern of inappropriate conduct toward students, despite warnings from the board. She is a teacher employed by the York Region District School Board.
Hunt, who was certified to teach in August 2000, attended the hearing on December 8, 2020. She had legal representation.
Hunt grabbed, pushed and yelled at students.
The Discipline Committee panel found her guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that her certificate be suspended for four months. She was also directed to appear before the panel to receive a reprimand.
In addition, Hunt was directed to complete a course of instruction, at her own expense, regarding anger management. She needs to do so prior to resuming or starting a teaching position requiring a Certificate of Qualification and Registration or within 90 days of the panel's order, whichever comes later.
In its written decision, the panel stated, "Members must not resort to aggressive means when seeking to manage student misbehaviour."
Member: Norman Craig Jackson
Registration No: 418446
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions
A Discipline Committee panel suspended the certificate of Norman Craig Jackson for physically abusing a student. He was a teacher formerly employed by the Peel District School Board.
Certified to teach in August 1998, Jackson did not attend the hearing on October 20, 2020, and did not have legal representation.
Jackson struck a student in the stomach and hit him over the head with a stack of papers.
In a criminal court, he was found guilty of assault for which he received an absolute discharge.
The Discipline Committee panel found Jackson guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his teaching certificate be suspended for three months. The panel also directed that he appear before it to receive a reprimand.
Jackson must also successfully complete, at his own expense, a course regarding classroom management and appropriate discipline techniques. He needs to do so prior to starting any position for which a Certificate of Qualification and Registration is required.
In its written decision, the panel stated, "The Member's assault of [the student] was at odds with his duties as a teacher as outlined in the Education Act."
Member: John Wilton Kelley
Registration No: 401648
Decision: Revocation, reprimand, costs
A Discipline Committee panel revoked the teaching certificate of John Wilton Kelley for sexually abusing a female student. He was formerly employed by the Toronto District School Board.
Certified to teach in June 1995, Kelley did not attend the hearing on May 27, 2020. He was not represented by legal counsel.
Kelley engaged in a sexual relationship with the student and used emotional manipulation and threats of "karmic retribution" to prevent her from exiting the relationship.
The Discipline Committee panel found Kelley guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his Certificate of Qualification and Registration be revoked. The panel also ordered that he receive a reprimand.
He was also ordered to pay the College $10,000 in costs, which must be paid within 180 days of the panel's order.
In its reasons for decision, the panel stated, "The Member abused his position of trust and authority by building a personal rapport with the Student through conversations, compliments and social activities, which then culminated in a sexual relationship with her."
Member: Patrick Conrad Knight, OCT
Registration No: 635386
Decision: Reprimand, conditions
A Discipline Committee panel reprimanded Patrick Conrad Knight, a teacher employed by the York Region District School Board, for inappropriate conduct.
This matter was heard by the panel on December 3 and 16, 2020. Knight, who was certified to teach in August 2012, did not attend the hearing but was represented by legal counsel.
His misconduct included yelling at his students, using sarcasm to address students, slamming the classroom door, and striking the whiteboard with a baton. In doing so, he created a negative and intimidating learning environment, which was at odds with his duties as a teacher.
The Discipline Committee panel found Knight 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, courses in anger management and classroom management. He must do so within 90 days of the panel's order.
In its written decision, the panel stated, "Through his treatment of his students, [the Member] undermined the reputation of the teaching profession and the trust that parents, students and the public place in teachers."
Member: Lorraine Labbé
Registration No: 277149
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions
A Discipline Committee panel suspended the certificate of Lorraine Labbé, a teacher formerly employed by the Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon, for unprofessional conduct and inappropriate comments.
This matter was heard by the panel on April 26 to 28, 2017, June 23, 26 and 27, 2017, and July 17, 2018. The member's appeal to the Divisional Court was dismissed on December 2, 2020, and the panel's decision was upheld.
Labbé, who was certified to teach in June 1994, represented herself.
Her misconduct included:
The Discipline Committee panel found her guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that her teaching certificate be suspended for six months.
She was directed to appear before the panel to receive a reprimand. She needs to do so before accepting a position that requires a Certificate of Qualification and Registration.
It also ordered her to successfully complete, at her own expense, courses in anger management and classroom management. She needs to do so before accepting a position that requires a Certificate of Qualification and Registration.
The panel found it concerning that numerous complaints were made against the member by parents and students, that the Children's Aid Society was involved on several occasions, and that the member's conduct did not improve.
In its penalty decision, the panel stated, "There are numerous aggravating factors in this case: The Member's misconduct was serious and long-standing; her misconduct was repeated at three different schools; [and] the Member has shown no remorse and no insight into the effect of her behaviour on her students."
Member: Jana Lebert
Registration No: 431044
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions
A Discipline Committee panel suspended the certificate of Jana Lebert for dishonest conduct. She is a teacher formerly employed by the Halton District School Board.
Certified to teach in May 2000, Lebert attended the hearing on November 23, 2020, but was not represented by legal counsel.
Lebert knowingly and repeatedly falsified medical reports from physicians for her own benefit. She was permitted to take a number of extended medical leaves as a result.
The Discipline Committee panel found Lebert guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that her teaching certificate be suspended for three months. The panel also directed her to appear before it to receive a reprimand.
She must also successfully complete, at her own expense, a course regarding professional ethics. She needs to do so prior to starting or resuming any teaching position in Ontario (including in a private school), or any position for which a Certificate of Qualification and Registration is required.
In its written decision, the panel stated, "The Member's misconduct is an example of behaviour that seriously undermines the reputation of the teaching profession."
Member: Justin Christopher Lenssen
Registration No: 634660
Decision: Revocation, reprimand
A Discipline Committee panel revoked the teaching certificate of Justin Christopher Lenssen, a teacher formerly employed by the Wellington Catholic District School Board, for sexual abuse of a student.
Certified to teach in June 2012, Lenssen did not attend the hearing on December 3 and 14, 2020, and was not represented by legal counsel.
Lenssen made sexually explicit comments and sent sexually explicit media (pictures and a video of him masturbating) to a student at his school. The definition of sexual abuse in the Ontario College of Teachers Act includes touching of a sexual nature and behaviour or remarks of a sexual nature by a member toward a student.
In a criminal court, he pled guilty to, and was convicted of, making sexually explicit material available to a person under 18 years of age. He was sentenced to 90 days' intermittent custody and to two years' probation. He was also made subject to a number of ancillary orders.
The Discipline Committee panel found Lenssen guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his Certificate of Qualification and Registration be revoked. The panel also ordered that he receive a reprimand.
In its decision, the panel stated, "The public's trust in the teaching profession is eroded when members engage in the sexual and emotional abuse of students."
Member: Chinedu Kinsman Okoro
Registration No: 645094
Decision: Revocation, reprimand
A Discipline Committee panel revoked the teaching certificate of Chinedu Kinsman Okoro, an occasional teacher formerly employed by the Toronto District School Board, for sexually assaulting female students.
Certified to teach in July 2013, Okoro did not attend the hearing on July 29, 2020. He had no legal representation.
Okoro made inappropriate physical and sexual contact with students. The definition of sexual abuse in the Ontario College of Teachers Act includes touching, behaviour or remarks of a sexual nature by a member toward a student.
Okoro's conduct in this case – rubbing his penis on students' shoulders, touching students' thighs, and touching a student's cleavage – clearly meets this definition.
In a criminal court, Okoro was convicted of sexual exploitation and sexual assault.
He was sentenced to 90 days in custody for the sexual exploitation convictions and an additional 28 days in custody for the sexual assault convictions, to be followed by two years of probation. The judge also imposed conditions that restrict Okoro's ability to teach and made a number of ancillary orders.
The Discipline Committee panel found Okoro guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his Certificate of Qualification and Registration be revoked. The panel also ordered that he receive a reprimand.
In its decision, the panel stated, "Members are expected to create a safe learning environment for students, and not to exploit their position to sexually abuse their students."
Member: Michael Richard Partridge
Registration No: 199221
Decision: Revocation, reprimand
A Discipline Committee panel revoked the teaching certificate of Michael Richard Partridge for professional misconduct, which included sexual abuse of a student. He was formerly employed by the Lambton Kent District School Board.
Certified to teach in June 1992, Partridge did not attend the hearing on October 7, 2020, but was represented by legal counsel.
Partridge drank alcohol with underage students and provided alcohol to a student, even after being warned by his board about his behaviour and cautioned by police about drinking with underage students.
He also put his arm around a female student's waist and tried to kiss her.
The definition of sexual abuse in the Ontario College of Teachers Act includes touching of a sexual nature and behaviour or remarks of a sexual nature by a member toward a student.
The Discipline Committee panel found Partridge guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his Certificate of Qualification and Registration be revoked. The panel also ordered that he receive a reprimand.
In its decision, the panel stated, "The public's trust in the teaching profession is grossly eroded when members abuse their position of trust and authority to emotionally and sexually abuse students."
Member: Tom Vytas Ramanauskas
Registration No: 398548
Decision: Reprimand, conditions
A Discipline Committee panel reprimanded Tom Vytas Ramanauskas for unprofessional conduct. He was formerly employed by the Toronto District School Board.
Certified to teach in June 1995, Ramanauskas attended the hearing on November 24, 2020, and was represented by legal counsel.
His misconduct included:
The Discipline Committee panel found him guilty of professional misconduct and directed that he appear before it to receive a reprimand.
He must also successfully complete, at his own expense, a course on professional boundaries. He must do so prior to starting or resuming a teaching position for which a Certificate of Qualification and Registration is required.
In its written decision, the panel stated, "Among other things, members are expected to demonstrate their commitment to students' well-being and learning through positive influence, professional judgment and empathy in practice (‘Care')."
Member: Anya Lee Watson
Registration No: 514959
Decision: Suspension, reprimand
A Discipline Committee panel suspended the teaching certificate of Anya Lee Watson for actions that were disgraceful, dishonourable and unprofessional. Employed by the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario, Watson was certified to teach in July 2007, and attended the hearing on November 16, 2020, with legal representation.
Watson took part in a lengthy and repeated large-scale fraudulent scheme. She created falsified invoices and fraudulently diverted excess monies from Noreast, which was her husband's employer, to a corporation controlled by her and her husband.
The amount of money defrauded from Noreast by Watson and her husband was US$864,238.75.
The Ontario Superior Court of Justice found her liable for civil fraud for her conduct involving Noreast.
The Discipline Committee panel found Watson guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that her certificate be suspended for eight months. She was also directed to appear before the panel to receive a reprimand.
In its written decision, the panel stated, "The Member's misconduct involved serious dishonesty and is therefore properly characterized as disgraceful, dishonourable and unprofessional."
Member: Waldemar Georg Walter Will
Registration No: 255580
Decision: Suspension, reprimand, conditions
A Discipline Committee panel suspended the certificate of Waldemar Georg Walter Will for inappropriate conduct. Formerly employed by the Toronto District School Board, Will was certified to teach in June 1990 and attended the hearing on December 3 and 21, 2020, with his legal counsel.
Will verbally abused his students by using vulgar and inappropriate language when speaking to his class. He showed videos that included discussions of a sexual nature and made sexual jokes in front of the class.
The Discipline Committee panel found Will guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that his teaching certificate be suspended for two months. The panel also directed that he appear before it to receive a reprimand.
He must also successfully complete, at his own expense, a course regarding classroom communication and boundaries. He needs to do so prior to returning to teaching.
In its written decision, the panel stated, "It is not appropriate for teachers to make sexual jokes in front of their class and by doing so, the Member engaged in sexual misconduct."
Copies of the full decisions are available at oct-oeeo.ca/decisions.