BC principal suspended for spanking child, making comments 'inconsistent with truth, reconciliation'

A BC elementary school principal has been reprimanded and her teaching licence suspended for spanking a Grade 1 student and making “inappropriate comments” about the First Nations community she was working in.

The latest consent resolution agreement published online is between the BC Commissioner for Teach Regulation and Pehgee Agnes Boholst Aranas.

Under the Teachers Act, the student and First Nation community mentioned in the agreement are not named to protect the identity of the student.

In November 2023, Aranas spanked the child (Student A), which was witnessed by a school employee (Employee A) who reported it to school administrators.

After the incident, Aranas was asked to meet with members of the First Nation. The Commissioner wrote that during the meeting Aranas incorrectly claimed the student’s parents approved her spanking their child.

The Commissioner said she also made comments which “were inconsistent with truth, reconciliation and healing.”

After the meeting, Aranas was placed on leave from the school pending an investigation.

She was told she could advise her colleagues she was one leave but not to discuss any other details. However, Aranas told at least two school employees that Employee A had reported her.

In December 2023, the manager of the First Nation made a complaint to the Commissioner.

On Jan. 4, 2024, Aranas signed an undertaking in which she agreed not to make contact with students unless it was necessary to protect them from immediate risk or harm.

The First Nation terminated Aranas’ employment on May 10, 2024.

According to the Commissioner she had previously been disciplined for making inappropriate comments about the First Nations community.

“On June 16, 2021, Aranas was issued a written warning letter after she wrote an email to an employee who had called in sick. In that email, Aranas wrote: ‘Suck it up, buttercup!!! The symptoms are just injection symptoms and not actual sickness! Tough native men like you have survived worse??? Lol,’” the Commissioner wrote.

On May 30, 2025, Aranas entered into a consent resolution agreement with the Commissioner.

Aranas also agreed to a three-day suspension and to complete a course on creating a positive learning environment by Mar. 31, 2025 which she did.

Aranas was directed to complete a course on systemic racism in Canada through the Canadian Race Relations Foundation by June 30, 2025.

The Commissioner said the disciplinary action was necessary and appropriate because Aranas’s actions were not in the student’s best interest and she did not treat the student with dignity or respect while failing to create a safe and inclusive learning environment.

“Aranas’ conduct was inconsistent with Standard #9. Her actions perpetuated the harmful legacy of physical abuse in Indian Residential Schools and reflected a belief in harmful stereotypes,” the Commissioner wrote.

“Her actions harmed Student A, negatively impacted the community’s feelings of trust and safety in the education system and did not contribute towards truth, reconciliation and healing.”