dispute resolution

The College uses Dispute Resolution (DR) to facilitate the resolution of suitable complaints regarding members of the profession. DR is voluntary and without prejudice to the parties. The results of the DR process are similar to those that would be expected following a full investigation and/or contested hearing.

The members in the cases reported here have consented to the publication of a summary of the complaint and its resolution.

Member: Not Identified
Decision: Admonished by the Investigation Committee

Following notification by a school board, the Registrar initiated a complaint against a member of the College alleging that she had accessed the e-mail accounts of other board employees without permission.

On February 24, 2006, the Investigation Committee ratified a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the member and the College, in which the member:

• acknowledged that she had engaged in the alleged conduct
• agreed to be admonished, in writing, by the Investigation Committee regarding her conduct
• agreed to a notation being placed on the public register indicating that she had been admonished by the committee.

Member: Not Identified
Decision: Cautioned by the Investigation Committee

Following notification by an employer, the Registrar initiated a complaint against a member of the College alleging that he had sent e-mail to a female secondary school student which contained inappropriate and personal comments.

On January 27, 2006, the Investigation Committee ratified an MOA between the member and the College, in which the member:

• admitted that he had engaged in the alleged conduct
• agreed to be cautioned, in writing, by the Investigation Committee regarding his conduct
• agreed to complete a course of instruction, pre-approved by the Registrar, regarding maintaining appropriate boundaries with students
• agreed to provide the Registrar with a written report by the practitioner who delivered the course of instruction, indicating whether the member recognized the need for teachers to establish and maintain appropriate teacher-student boundaries
• agreed to notify the Registrar of any future complaints of a similar nature made to his employer.

Member: Not Identified
Decision: Cautioned by the Investigation Committee

Following notification by a school board, the Registrar initiated a complaint against a member of the College. The Registrar alleged that the member had inappropriately disciplined two male elementary students. In the first instance, the member instinctively responded to being slapped by a male student by slapping him in return. In the second instance, the member held a student in place while the student was flailing about.

On January 27, 2006, the Investigation Committee ratified an MOA between the member and the College, in which:

• the member acknowledged that he had engaged in the alleged conduct
• the member agreed to be cautioned, in writing, by the Investigation Committee, regarding his conduct
• the parties acknowledged that the member had successfully completed several courses of instruction regarding classroom management strategies and anger management
• the member agreed to notify the Registrar of any future complaints of a similar nature made to his employer.

When the Discipline Committee finds a member guilty of professional misconduct, the member's name is routinely published in Professionally Speaking. If a similar matter is disposed of by the Investigation Committee or DR at the investigation stage, and the result is a caution, the name of the member is not published. The College monitors compliance with all agreements reached through DR.