Teacher barred for 10 years for sexual relationship with student

Photo: Contributed

A B.C. teacher won’t be allowed to teach in B.C. for 10 years after having a sexual relationship with a student, the B.C. Commissioner for Teacher Regulation said in a ruling released Oct. 29.

The decision said the teacher entered into an inappropriate intimate and sexual relationship with an 18-year-old student about six weeks after the student graduated.

The situation developed from a teacher-student relationship covering Grades 9 to 12. In that period, the student regularly and consistently spent time with the teacher, including time alone at the school.

The decision said the teacher was aware that the student had a crush on him while in high school.

“When the student was in Grade 11, there was an incident in which the teacher had a physical contact with the student which was of a sexually suggestive nature,” the decisions said. “In early August, the student contacted the teacher. They met a few times in August.

“The teacher told the student that he loved the student and the teacher initiated sexual activity.”

The teacher has agreed his behaviour constitutes professional misconduct and contrary to the Standards for the Education, Competence and Professional Conduct of Educators in British Columbia.

The teacher agreed to a cancellation of his certificate of qualification and not to re-apply for 10 years.

The decision, which contains no names or school locations, was released anonymously under the Teachers Act “to protect the identity of a student who was harmed, abused or exploited by the teacher.”