Ex-Kitchener, Ont., teacher who taped students to classroom chairs pleads guilty to professional misconduct

A Kitchener, Ont., teacher who taped two students to their chairs in her classroom on Oct. 20, 2021, has pleaded guilty to professional misconduct after using "highly inappropriate classroom management techniques."

The Ontario College of Teachers' discipline committee hearing was held Aug. 10 and the decision has been posted online. The teacher worked for the Waterloo Region District School Board and resigned on Dec. 2, 2022.

The decision does not name the school and prohibits publication of any information — including ages and grades — that would identify the students involved.

An agreed statement of facts said the teacher used masking tape to secure two students to their chairs. A piece of tape was placed across one student's thighs and another student's chest and arms.

"The [teacher's] intent was that the tape would serve as a reminder to Student 1 not to get up from his seat and to Student 2 not to twist around in his seat to socialize with Student 1," the agreed statement of facts said.

The students both removed the tape from themselves by the end of class, but afterwards, Student 1 told police he was afraid to return to class.

Teacher must 'remain professional'

The teacher "admitted the truth of the facts," the college's disciplinary hearing decision says, and she knew she had engaged in inappropriate physical contact with two students.

The teacher "acknowledged that her conduct centred out and may have embarrassed Student 1 and Student 2 in front of their peers," the decision says. "Give the physical imbalance that exists between a member and the students, it was emotionally abusive for the [teacher] to engage in such behaviour."

The decision says the teacher's use of "highly inappropriate classroom management techniques warrants a reprimand."

"Teachers are expected to provide a safe and supportive learning environment for students. They must also remain professional when managing challenging student behaviour."

The college issued a four-month suspension to the teacher, and should she wish to teach again, she would need to take a course in classroom management.

The teacher was also criminally charged with two counts of assault in November 2021, but those charges were withdrawn on May 18, 2022, when the teacher entered into a peace bond.

As part of that agreement, the teacher cannot apply for a paid or unpaid position in a public, Catholic or private school in Canada for 10 years. She also cannot volunteer in any school in the country or do any work or volunteer in any way that would give her a position of authority over children 12 years old or younger.

After the teacher entered into the peace bond, Waterloo Region District School Board's director of education jeewan chanicka released a video statement saying the board's "most earnest goal is that every parent can send their child to school knowing that they will be safe, loved, cared for and welcomed."