BC teacher handed 15-year ban over sexual relationship with Grade 12 student

A former BC teacher has had his certification revoked and has been banned from reapplying for 15 years after engaging in an appropriate sexual relationship with a student.

According to consent agreement posted by the BC Commissioner for Teacher Regulation, the student was in grade 12 when

The BC Commissioner for Teacher Regulation posted a summary of a consent agreement online on Tuesday. The name of the teacher, the school district and the student are not included as required by the Teachers Act in order to “protect the identity of a student who was harmed, abused or exploited by the teacher.”

According to the agreement, the teacher held a school and subject restricted independent school teaching certificate that was issued in 2016 and was employed as a secondary school teacher at the school until Aug. 1, 2024.

On Aug. 12, 2024, the school principal made a report to the commissioner regarding the teacher.

Shortly afterwards, the teacher signed an undertaking not to teach in any role or position requiring a Ministry of Education and Child Care Certificate of Qualification, Independent School Teaching Certificate, or Letter of Permission as defined in the Teachers Act.

The consent agreement said the student, who is referred to as Student A, was a pupil of the teacher.

When the student was in grade 12, the teacher made “inappropriate physical contact” with the student when he touched the back of the student’s bare knees on several occasions.

When the student graduated from school, the teacher kissed the student.

“Student A told the teacher that they loved him,” the consent agreement said. “The teacher responded by saying that he loved the student too.”

The Commissioner’s report said that around the time of the student’s graduation, the teacher engaged in an inappropriate sexual relationship with the student.

Shortly afterwards, the teacher resigned.

The teachers entered into a consent resolution agreement with the commissioner in which he admitted the conduct had happened and constituted professional misconduct.

When considering the cancellation of the teacher’s certificate the Commissioner said it considered the teacher’s inappropriate relationship with Student A arose out of the teacher student relationship, the teacher demonstrated a serious failure to maintain appropriate boundaries and the teacher engaged in conduct which damaged a student’s emotional safety and well-being.