A BC teacher has been publicly disciplined after engaging in a backpack ttug-of-war with a Grade 8 student.
A consent resolution agreement between the BC teacher regulator and Ming Chun Chen was published online on Tuesday and details three instances of professional misconduct involving one student.
The misconduct happened during the 2023/2024 school year while Chen was employed at a middle school in School District No. 75 (Mission).
According to the regulator, Chen made “repeated” requests for a student to return a book to its proper spot on a shelf.
Chen then grabbed the student’s backpack, causing it to fall off their back.
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“Chen engaged in a tug-of-war with (the student) for the backpack, with Chen holding the handle and (the student) holding the shoulder straps,” the regulator wrote.
“This continued for approximately 30 seconds until Chen let go of the backpack.”
On another occasion, Chen “perceived” that the student was being disruptive during class and when they were asked to leave, they did not listen.
The regulator said Chen then picked up the student’s backpack and tossed it two feet into the hallway.
The third occasion involved the student asking to go to the bathroom after arriving late for class.
“Student A said they would ‘pee’ themself if Chen did not let them go to the washroom,” the regulator wrote. “Chen replied, ‘go ahead,’ referring to peeing themself.”
On June 25, the school district issued Chen a letter of discipline and suspended her for one day without pay. Chen was also ordered to complete a classroom management workshop focused on "positive behaviour support.”
The suspension was served on June 28, 2024 and the workshop was completed on Nov. 19.
On Oct. 7, 2024, the regulator ordered an investigation.
Ultimately, Chen agreed that she committed professional misconduct and to complete a course on creating a positive learning environment.
The regulator said Chen failed to model appropriate behaviour expected of a teacher and failed to treat students with respect.
