investigations

The College investigates and considers complaints about members that relate to alleged professional misconduct, incompetence or incapacity. If the Investigation Committee concludes that a complaint does not relate to one of those three matters or is frivolous, vexatious or an abuse of process, it does not proceed with the complaint.

Approximately four out of five complaints are not referred to the Discipline Committee but are dismissed or resolved by other means. Examples of cases considered by the Investigation Committee and not referred to a hearing are provided here.

Case #1

Complaint: Physical disciplining of student
Outcome of investigation: Admonishment

Parents of a Grade 2 student complained to the College that an occasional teacher at their child's school had grabbed their child by the coat hood as the student lined up with others after recess, and yelled very aggressively, “Won't you stop talking?” - physically shaking the student.

The student reported the incident to another teacher, who took the student to the principal, who in turn removed the teacher from the classroom.

A panel of the Investigation Committee considered the complaint and admonished the member, and directed that the member's future conduct and behaviour should be appropriate and consistent with the standards of the teaching profession. The panel also advised the member to avoid physical contact with students, except in self-defence or in protection of a student or member of staff.

Case #1

Complaint: Deducting marks, failing to explain reasons and unequal student treatment
Outcome of investigation: No investigation

A Grade 12 student's parents complained that their child's calculus teacher had deducted marks from the student's tests because of the mathematical methods used, failed to explain the deductions and treated their child unfairly, compared to other class students.

The alleged unfair treatment included mark deduction; an unwillingness to answer the student's questions; replying irritably when the member did respond; and permitting another student to use a different method to that taught, but not the complainants' child.

A panel of the Investigation Committee considered the complaint and directed that it not be investigated because the allegations did not relate to professional misconduct, incompetence or incapacity and were matters appropriately dealt with at the school or board level.

Case #2

Complaint: Physical correction of student behaviour
Outcome of investigation: Admonishment

The parents of a Grade 2 student complained that an occasional teacher at their child's school had grabbed the student by the coat hood, shaken the student, yelled aggressively at the student, and caused the student to bump against the door frame or wall.

The child said that, while in a lineup with classmates, the teacher wrongly accused the child of talking, yelled at the student and then grabbed the student by the coat hood and began to shake the child, in the course of which contact the student struck either the door frame or wall.

Although the member denied shaking the student, the College's investigation revealed information from witnesses who confirmed the physical contact.

The matter was considered by a panel of the Investigation Committee, which admonished the member and advised that, in future, the member ensure that conduct and behaviour are consistent with the standards of the teaching profession. The member was also advised that any physical contact with students should be avoided, except in self-defence or in protection of a student or other member of staff.

Case #3

Complaint: Verbal abuse and unfair treatment of student
Outcome of investigation: No investigation

A Grade 3 student's parents complained to the College about the alleged behaviour of their child's teacher.

According to the parents, the teacher, in front of the class, accused their child of lying; told the student that the teacher would follow the student into Grade 4 to "bug" the child; told the student the teacher didn't care who the student's parents were; ignored the student's requests for assistance in class; said that the student had no friends; ridiculed, embarrassed, intimidated and laughed at the student during class; and confiscated the student's valentines.

A panel of the Investigation Committee reviewed the complaint and directed that it not be investigated because it was a matter within the purview of the school board.

Case #4

Complaint: Physical assault, engaging in fight with student, name-calling
Outcome of investigation: Complaint dismissed

A parent of a Grade 8 student made a complaint to the College about a teacher at the student's school, saying that the teacher had physically assaulted the student, engaged in a fight with the student and verbally abused the student, using derogatory terms.

The parent said that the teacher approached the student at the lockers and asked why the student was in the hall. The teacher called the student a liar when told that the student was returning from the principal's office and had a late lunch. A little later, the teacher again approached the student, who was again at the lockers, and used a derogatory term for homosexual, grabbed the student and pushed the student into the lockers. According to the parent, a physical fight then ensued between the two.

The member denied the allegations and said that the physical altercation occurred only after the student attacked the teacher.

The College's investigation revealed that the actions taken by the teacher were in self-defence and a panel of the Investigation Committee dismissed the complaint, after reviewing the information, which did not support the parent's allegations.