Governing Ourselves

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

Summaries of the cases reported here are based on facts derived from agreements signed by the College Registrar and the member, which are ratifed by the Investigation Committee. Publication is a provision of the agreements.

dispute resolution

Member: Gerard Devine
Registration number: 103892
Decision:
Admonishment, certificate cancelled, undertaking

The Investigation Committee admonished a retired member for sexually and verbally harassing colleagues and vulnerable students. The Toronto Catholic DSB teacher admitted to having called vulnerable students at home during evenings and having called a colleague to discuss his past sexual relationships. Police charged Devine with sexual exploitation but later dropped the charges.

The committee ratified a memorandum of agreement in which the member undertook to resign, have his certificate cancelled and never seek employment in a publicly funded education institution nor seek reinstatement as a member of the College.


Member: Not identified
Decision: Caution, conditions

The Investigation Committee cautioned a Toronto DSB teacher for using physical contact to discipline a student. To get the attention of a Grade 8 student who had been misbehaving, the member placed his hand on the back of the student’s head. The board suspended the member for two days without pay, and a police investigation ensued, but no charges were laid.

The committee cautioned the member to always maintain appropriate teacher-student boundaries and to use appropriate classroom management strategies to deal with difficult students and challenging situations.

The committee ratified a memorandum of agreement in which the member undertook to complete, at his own expense, a course on discipline and classroom management strategies within 90 days.


Member: Not identified
Decision: Admonishment

The Investigation Committee admonished a teacher for physically assaulting his spouse. The member was charged with aggravated assault, which resulted in his wife’s black eye, facial bruising and injured lip. The board suspended him during its investigation and the member pleaded guilty to a lesser criminal charge of common assault. He was given a conditional discharge and 12 months probation.

The committee ratified a memorandum of agreement and admonished the member to ensure that his conduct in the community is professional and honourable at all times. The committee recognized that the member’s behaviour did not occur in a school setting but reminded him that teachers are significant role models in society.


Member: Not identified
Decision: Admonishment, conditions

The Investigation Committee admonished a Peel DSB teacher for inappropriate and disrespectful comments to students and for ridiculing their religious beliefs.

The committee ratified a memorandum of agreement in which the member undertook to retire from the College and not seek reinstatement until he completes, at his own expense, a course in sensitivity and appropriate communication with students.


Member: Not identified
Decision: Admonishment, conditions

The Investigation Committee admonished a teacher with the conseil scolaire de district catholique Centre-Sud for using excessive force on a student, using physical force to discipline students, making unprofessional comments and using her mobile phone during class. The committee said that the member’s conduct raised serious concerns.

The committee ratified a memorandum of agreement in which the member undertook to complete a classroom management course, at her own expense, within 90 days.


Member: Not identified
Decision: Admonishment, undertaking not to teach for 30 days and conditions

The Investigation Committee admonished a member for breaching his ethical duties while administering EQAO tests. The member used secret finger gestures to entice a student to change answers on the test.

The committee ratified a memorandum of agreement in which the member undertook not to engage in teaching duties for 30 days and to complete a course on the ethical administration of EQAO testing at his own expense within four months.


When the Discipline Committee finds a member guilty of professional misconduct, the member’s name may be 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.