Professionally SpeakingThe Magazine of the Ontario College of Teachers
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Governing Ourselves

Reports

 

Reports: Address to Council | Council | Publications | 2007 member card | Accreditation | Investigations | Dispute Resolution | Hearings

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: Cautioned by the Investigation Committee

Following notification by an employer, the Registrar initiated a complaint against a member of the College. The Registrar alleged that while teaching Junior and Intermediate students, the member used inappropriate language and shared unacceptable personal information. The member's comments included references to other teachers or students in the class.

On December 20, 2006, the Investigation Committee ratified a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the member and the College, in which the member:

  • admitted to the alleged conduct
  • agreed to be cautioned, in writing, by the Investigation Committee
  • agreed to complete a course of instruction, pre-approved by the Registrar, regarding maintaining appropriate boundaries with students
  • agreed to provide the Registrar with written confirmation of successful completion of the course
  • 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 an employer, the Registrar initiated a complaint against a member of the College. The Registrar alleged that the member:

  • repeatedly touched a female secondary school student on the shoulders and caressed her hair and face
  • massaged the neck of another female secondary school student when she was feeling ill.

On December 20, 2006, the Investigation Committee ratified an MOA between the member and the College in which the member:

  • agreed to be cautioned, in writing, by the Investigation Committee
  • agreed to complete a course of instruction, pre-approved by the Registrar, regarding maintaining appropriate boundaries with students
  • agreed to provide the Registrar with written confirmation of successful completion of the course.

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.