{"result":"update_story","description":"<p> <\/p> <p><meta charset=\"utf-8\" \/><\/p> <p dir=\"ltr\">A BC highschool teacher has been handed a brief suspension of his teaching certificate after an unprofessional altercation with a student at her job.<\/p> <p>A consent resolution agreement was signed between Edward Mulrooney and the BC Commissioner for Teacher Regulation and published on Tuesday.<\/p> <p dir=\"ltr\">According to the agreement, School District 68 (Nanaimo-Ladysmith) made a report to the Commissioner in March 2021 about an incident that happened in mid-February of that year.<\/p>\n\t\t<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-1515615292703-0\" class=\"dfp-ad dfp-in-content\" style=\"margin-bottom:15px;\">\n\t\t<script>\n\t\t\tgoogletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display(\"div-gpt-ad-1515615292703-0\"); });\n\t\t<\/script>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t <p dir=\"ltr\">The commissioner wrote that a female student (Student A) was walking down a hallway at the school when Mulrooney allegedly looked at her in a way which made her feel uncomfortable.<\/p> <p dir=\"ltr\">&ldquo;Student A and the two other students she was with believed that Mulrooney look at Student A in a way that was &lsquo;checking her out,&rsquo;&rdquo; the commissioner wrote.<\/p> <p dir=\"ltr\">The distinct suspended Mulrooney on Feb. 24, 2021 and an investigation was launched.<\/p> <p dir=\"ltr\"><img alt=\"&lt;who&gt; Photo Credit: 123r\" src=\"\/files\/files\/images\/784241_l%20(1)(1).jpg\" style=\"margin: 5px;\" \/><\/p> <p dir=\"ltr\">The teacher was directed not to discuss an ongoing investigation with any student or staff member at the school.<\/p> <p dir=\"ltr\">In July 2021, while the investigation was still happening, Mulrooney reportedly visited a business in the community at which Student A worked as a cashier.<\/p> <p dir=\"ltr\">Mulrooney said he was unaware the student worked there, however, when he went to the check out til, he believed that Student A was &ldquo;playing games&rdquo; with him and not treating him very well.<\/p> <p dir=\"ltr\">The commissioner wrote that a verbal altercation occurred and involved another cashier, who told Mulrooney not to speak to the student the way he was.<\/p> <p dir=\"ltr\">&ldquo;In the exchange, Mulrooney raised his voice, was visibly angry, and made disrespectful comments to Student A,&rdquo; the commissioner wrote in the resolution agreement.<\/p> <p dir=\"ltr\">&ldquo;Mulrooney said that Student A needed to start telling the truth, he was going to talk to her manager, and that Student A should not be working when he could not work.&rdquo;<\/p> <p dir=\"ltr\">Another bystander and eventually the store manager got involved.<\/p> <p dir=\"ltr\">According to the commissioner, Mulrooney asked the store manager what they were going to do to keep Mulrooney from &ldquo;being challenged by vindictive young girls who obviously believe something about [Mulrooney] that is not true.&rdquo;<\/p> <p dir=\"ltr\">The store manager said he would instruct his staff to not engage with Mulrooney.<\/p> <p dir=\"ltr\">During the verbal altercation, Mulrooney made multiple requests to have the student fired and even called the store later that day asking that she be fired.<\/p> <p dir=\"ltr\">In April 2022, Mulrooney resigned from the school district.<\/p> <p dir=\"ltr\">The next month, the commissioner launched their own investigation. <\/p> <p dir=\"ltr\">That ended with the consent resolution agreement and Mulrooney being handed a five-day suspension of his teaching certificate, which will be carried out from May 5-9, 2025.<\/p> <p dir=\"ltr\">The commissioner also ordered the teacher to complete a course on reinforcing respectful profession boundaries.<\/p> <p dir=\"ltr\">According to the agreement, the commissioner found that Mulrooney had already been previously advised to ensure his interactions with students were kept professional.<\/p> <p dir=\"ltr\">The commissioner also found that the teacher spoke to the student during the district&rsquo;s investigation. The agreement said the interaction happened in a public space and that Mulrooney was loud, threatening and intimidating.<\/p> <p dir=\"ltr\">&ldquo;His actions were contrary to his responsibility as a role model, and his obligation to maintain the integrity and reputation of the profession,&rdquo; the commissioner concluded.<\/p>","title":"BC teacher suspended for 'loud, intimidating' interaction at student's workplace"}