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HearingsThree-member panels of the Discipline Committee conduct public hearings into cases of alleged incompetence or professional misconduct. The panels are a mix of elected and appointed Council members. If found guilty of professional misconduct or incompetence, a member's certificate may be revoked, suspended or limited. In cases of professional misconduct only, the committee may also reprimand, admonish or counsel the member, impose a fine, publish its order in Professionally Speaking, or order the member to pay costs. Panels of the Discipline Committee have ordered summaries of these recent disciplinary cases to be published in Professionally Speaking. Member: Myer William Kalin A panel of the Discipline Committee held a public hearing on January 15 into allegations of professional misconduct against Myer William Kalin. The member faced seven allegations of professional misconduct related to possession of child pornography. Kalin did not attend the hearing and was not represented by counsel. The panel received evidence that the member taught in Asia after retiring as a secondary school teacher with the Ottawa-Carleton DSB in November 1998. Upon his re-entry to Canada in January 2004, Canadian customs officials stopped Kalin at the Ottawa airport and seized four compact disks containing about 315 images of child pornography. The member's laptop computer contained several hundred additional images of child pornography and hundreds more of young, nude males. Kalin pleaded guilty in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice at Ottawa to possession of child pornography and was sentenced to 12 months community service. The court prohibited the member from being alone with anyone under the age of 14 or from seeking work or a volunteer arrangement that would put him in a position of trust or authority with anyone 14 and under for 10 years. He was further directed to undergo counselling and allow police to search his computer at any time during the 12 month period. The judge ordered that he pay a $100 victim surcharge fine. Having considered the evidence, a plea of no contest, the agreed statement of facts and submissions on penalty, the committee found the member guilty of professional misconduct and ordered the Registrar to revoke his Certificates of Qualification and Registration. The panel's decision appears on the College's public register. Member: Not identified A Discipline Committee panel held a public hearing into an allegation of professional misconduct against a member, related to sending an inappropriate e-mail to a school principal in the Toronto DSB. The member did not attend the hearing and was not represented by counsel. The panel received evidence that the member, while “in a very emotional state,” sent a derogatory e-mail to his principal, referring to the principal as “the local Fuhrer” and a “tin-pot despot” in response to what the member considered arbitrary and unfair treatment. Recognizing the inappropriate nature of some of its contents, the member sent another e-mail to the principal to apologize. Having considered the agreed statement of facts, a plea of no contest and a joint submission on penalty, the committee found the member guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that he appear before the panel for counselling. The committee considered the misconduct to be an isolated incident and not of a severe nature. There was no evidence before the committee of any previous misconduct and the member acknowledged that he had acted unprofessionally. Member: Robert Bruce Tanney A Discipline Committee panel held a public hearing on January 30 into eight allegations of professional misconduct against Robert Bruce Tanney, related to charges of sexual abuse of a female student under the age of 14. Tanney, who was certified to teach in June 1970, did not attend the hearing but was represented by counsel. The panel received evidence that Tanney, on more than one occasion, while teaching Grade 2 for the Toronto DSB, touched an eight-year-old student in an inappropriate and sexual manner while showing movies to his class. The Ontario Court of Justice sentenced Tanney to two years probation. He was directed to have no contact with the student or her family, take counselling as directed by his probation officer, and was prohibited from coming into contact with any child under the age of 14 unless he is in the presence of persons named in the probation order, including via computer, in a social or work situation. Having considered the evidence, a plea of no contest, an agreed statement of facts and joint submissions on penalty, the panel found Tanney guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that the Registrar revoke his Certificates of Qualification and Registration. The panel's decision appears on the College's public register. Member: Thomas Allan Powers A Discipline Committee panel held a public hearing on February 12 into nine allegations of professional misconduct against Thomas Allan Powers related to a criminal conviction for the sexual exploitation of a 15-year-old female student. Powers, who was certified to teach in June 1989, did not attend the hearing but was represented by counsel. The panel received evidence that Powers, while working for the Greater Essex County DSB, began an inappropriate and unprofessional relationship with the student that included time alone together in the school, in his car, kissing, sexual touching and intercourse. During a sexual encounter in the school, Powers told the student her mark would go up and that she wouldn't have to write the exam for his class. When the student expressed concerns that the relationship was inappropriate, Powers showed no concern for her welfare and instead asked if the student could handle the relationship emotionally and asked her not to tell anyone because he could get divorced, go to jail and lose his job. Powers pleaded guilty to and was convicted of sexual exploitation of a student in March 2006 in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. He was sentenced to six months imprisonment followed by two years probation. Further, the court ordered that Powers not communicate directly or indirectly with the student and not be allowed to possess any firearms, ammunition or explosives for 10 years. Having considered the evidence, a guilty plea, the agreed statement of facts and joint submission on penalty, the panel found Powers guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that the Registrar revoke his Certificates of Qualification and Registration. In its decision, the Discipline Committee panel wrote: “The member's conduct is reprehensible and unbecoming a member of the profession. The member abused the authority and trust vested in him, in his role as a teacher, without regard to the well-being of the student in his care … The member has forfeited the privilege to be a member of the teaching profession.” The panel's decision appears on the College's public register. Member: Leslie Hoogland A Discipline Committee panel held a public hearing on January 16 into seven allegations of professional misconduct against Leslie Hoogland, related to a criminal conviction for making and possessing child pornography and obtaining sexual services from persons under the age of 18. Hoogland, who was certified to teach in June 1973, did not attend the hearing and was not represented by counsel. The panel received evidence that Hoogland, while working with the Halton DSB, obtained the sexual services of persons under 18 in Toronto for his own sexual gratification and to photograph. Hoogland pleaded guilty in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in May 2006 to possession of child pornography and obtaining the sexual services of persons under the age of 18. He was sentenced to two years less a day to be served conditionally. Having considered the evidence, a guilty plea, the agreed statement of facts and joint submission on penalty, the panel found Hoogland guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that the Registrar revoke his Certificates of Qualification and Registration. In its decision, the Discipline Committee panel wrote: “A member making and possessing child pornography and obtaining the sexual services of persons under the age of 18 years is not suitable to be in a position of trust and authority over children and should not be permitted to teach in Ontario or elsewhere.” The panel's decision appears on the College's public register. Member: Not identified A panel of the Discipline Committee held a public hearing on January 30 into an allegation of professional misconduct against a member, related to interacting improperly with a student. The member attended the hearing and was represented by counsel. The panel heard evidence that the member failed to adhere to the school and board's “hands off” policy when interacting with a four-year-old male student in her class who was crying. To stop him from crying, the member yelled at the student, held his wrists and pulled him to her. Consequently, further upset and frightened, the child became physically ill and vomited. For a short period the student was inconsolable. Another teacher and a parent volunteer witnessed the incident. The member acknowledged that the actions constituted professional misconduct and pleaded no contest to the allegation. Based on an agreed statement of facts, a plea of no contest and a joint submission on penalty, the panel reprimanded the member for professional misconduct and directed that the decision appear in summary in Professionally Speaking as a general deterrent. The panel's decision appears on the College's public register. Member: Tiffany Dawn Angus A Discipline Committee panel held a public hearing on February 6 into allegations of professional misconduct against Tiffany Dawn Angus, who was certified to teach in January 2006. Angus faced seven allegations of professional misconduct related to a sexual relationship with a male secondary school student. Angus did not attend the hearing but was represented by counsel. The panel received evidence that Angus, working as a probationary teacher with the Limestone DSB, engaged in an inappropriate and unprofessional relationship with the 16-year-old student that included being alone together inside and outside the school, buying and consuming alcohol together, hugging and kissing in the school library and having sexual intercourse in the boy's apartment. Despite repeated warnings by school, board and union officials, Angus continued the relationship. The board fired Angus in April 2006 when she contravened its directive by continuing to see the student, staying with him overnight and introducing him as her boyfriend to friends and family during a trip to British Columbia. Having considered the evidence, a memorandum of agreement that included an agreed statement of facts, a plea of no contest and a joint submission on resolution, the panel found Angus guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that the Registrar revoke her Certificates of Qualification and Registration. The panel found that the member “totally disregarded the well-being of the student for her own gratification” and said that her conduct was “reprehensible and unbecoming a member of the profession.” The panel's decision appears on the College's public register. Member: Not identified A panel of the Discipline Committee held a closed hearing into allegations of professional misconduct against a member. The member faced five allegations of professional misconduct related to charges of sexual assault, sexual interference and incest involving a teenage girl. The member did not attend and was not represented by counsel. The panel received evidence from three witnesses, including the victim, a police investigator and a member of the school board. The police investigator said he contacted the member about a serious criminal matter related to a young female in an attempt to meet the member and the member's lawyer. The member did not attend the meeting. Subsequently, the police issued a warrant for the member's arrest. The investigation is ongoing. By videotape, the panel heard the girl describe that she had been at home sleeping one morning when the member entered her bedroom, changed the radio station and left. Her brother was on his way out of the house for school at the time. A short time later, the member sexually assaulted the girl. In the police interview, the girl said she had been the victim of other incidents involving the member and sexual touching, beginning when she was 11. The police officer said he was confident the girl understood the difference between a truth and a lie. The girl, who was present in the hearing room when the video was shown, testified that everything she said on the videotape was true. The board representative told the panel that the member resigned without notice and that the board had no further communication with the member. Having considered the evidence, onus and standard of proof, and the submissions of College counsel, the committee supported a finding of professional misconduct and ordered the Registrar to revoke the member's Certificates of Qualification and Registration. Publication of the committee's order serves as a general deterrent to guide members of the profession and to inform the public that conduct of this nature will not be tolerated. Member: Richard Lionel Roy A panel of the Discipline Committee held a public hearing on October 26 and December 7, 2006, into allegations of professional misconduct against Richard Lionel Roy (also known as Joseph LIonel Richard Roy). Roy was certified to teach in 1990 and was employed in British Columbia in 1990 before returning to work as an occasional teacher for the Toronto Catholic DSB in 1991–92. Roy then moved to BC where he was employed by BC School District No. 33 (Chilliwack) in 1992–93. The member faced six allegations of professional misconduct related to a conviction of second-degree murder for killing his wife. Roy did not attend the hearing and was not represented by counsel. The panel received evidence that, in September 1994, the Supreme Court of British Columbia found Roy guilty of first-degree murder. Subsequently, the BC Court of Appeal substituted a verdict of second-degree murder and sentenced Roy to life imprisonment with no chance of parole for 10 years. The BC College of Teachers cancelled Roy's certificate in June 1995. A panel of the Ontario College of Teachers' Discipline Committee found the member guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that the Registrar revoke Roy's Certificates of Qualification and Registration. The panel's decision appears on the College's public register. Member: Not identified A Discipline Committee panel held a public hearing into an allegation of professional misconduct against a member related to a criminal conviction for assault. The member attended the hearing and was represented by counsel. The panel heard evidence that the member assaulted his wife and daughter and threatened to kill his wife after he learned she was having an affair. Subsequently, the member completed individual counselling, a partner assault response group program and a group session on anger management. Based on the evidence, a memorandum of agreement, a plea of no contest and a joint submission on resolution, the panel admonished the member for professional misconduct and ordered publication in Professionally Speaking without the member's name. The Discipline Committee panel wrote, “These remedial steps taken by the member, along with his ongoing medical treatment, satisfy the Committee that a penalty of admonishment is proportionate to the member's misconduct and serves the public interest.” The decision of the panel also appears on the College's public register. Member: Bruce Donald Stevens A Discipline Committee panel held a public hearing on March 5 into allegations of professional misconduct against Bruce Donald Stevens related to a criminal conviction for breach of trust. Stevens, employed by the Simcoe County District School Board, was certified to teach in 1978. He did not attend the hearing and was not represented by counsel. The panel received evidence that Stevens, seconded from the board to chair the Insurance Trustees Committee (ITC) to manage the life and health benefits of board employees, illegally transferred $286,593.21 in ITC funds to his numbered company. Stevens later resigned from ITC, returned to the board, apologized and returned the funds plus interest. Following an investigation, the board fired him in December, 2005. The court gave Stevens a 12-month sentence to be served in the community and ordered him to complete 80 hours of community work service within the first 45 days of his sentence. The Discipline Committee panel wrote that, “the member's conduct was disgraceful, dishonourable and unbecoming a member” and that his actions “brought the profession into disrepute. He was convicted of breach of trust as a result of stealing from the very fund it was his duty to protect. The fact that the member repaid the funds with interest does not restore the public trust.” Having examined the evidence, onus and standard of proof and the submissions of counsel, the panel found Stevens guilty of professional misconduct and ordered the Registrar to revoke his Certificates of Qualification and Registration. Member: Kelvin Brown A panel of the Discipline Committee held a public hearing on February 6 into allegations of professional misconduct against Kelvin Brown related to criminal conviction for sexual exploitation of a teenage girl. Brown, employed by the Toronto DSB, did not attend and was not represented by counsel. The panel received evidence that the Ontario Court of Justice sentenced Brown to five months in jail and two years probation for committing two acts of sexual interference described as “acts of grooming” and as “intentional planned acts to try to prepare (the young woman) to be caught in his web of criminal self-gratification.” The court prohibited Brown from working or volunteering with anyone 14 years old or under for 10 years. Having considered the evidence, onus and standard of proof and the submissions of College counsel, the committee supported a finding of professional misconduct and ordered the Registrar to revoke Brown's Certificates of Qualification and Registration. Member: Keith Derek Secor A Discipline Committee panel held a public hearing on March 27 into allegations of professional misconduct against Keith Derek Secor related to his criminal conviction for indecent assault against six minors. Secor, an elementary teacher with the Waterloo Catholic DSB, was certified to teach in 1977. He did not attend the hearing and was not represented by counsel. The panel received evidence that Secor was convicted in provincial court of six counts of indecent assault involving five of his Grades 2 and 3 students and an older student at his school. The court ordered Secor to serve a conditional sentence of six months house arrest followed by three months curfew. He was directed not to associate or communicate directly or indirectly with any of the victims and to keep 100 metres from their homes. Secor was also prohibited from attending a local community charity and ordered to avoid work or volunteer contact with anyone under the age of 14. “Children should be able to go to school and feel safe and protected,” the panel wrote. “Instead, the member indecently assaulted students and, therefore, must forfeit the privilege to be a member of the teaching profession.” Having examined the evidence, the agreed statement of facts, a plea of no contest, a joint submission on penalty and counsel submissions, the committee panel found Secor guilty of professional misconduct and ordered the Registrar to revoke his Certificates of Qualification and Registration. Glossary of terminologyThe vocabulary used to report disciplinary hearings reflects their quasi-judicial nature. If you wonder what some terms mean, help is at hand. For past and future reference, the College has posted a glossary of terms on its web site. A link to the glossary can be found on the decision-summary page. Visit Glossary of Terms. |
