Watch above: Global’s Meaghan Craig has more on the number of teachers accused of professional misconduct and why the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation says there is no cause for concern.
SASKATOON – School may be out for the summer but the fate of a number of teachers hangs in the balance. These are Saskatchewan teachers accused of professional misconduct and there are more of them than in years previous.
“It’s not good, it’s probably the problems were there before but may be just now are being dealt with,” said one Saskatonian we stopped on the street to review the numbers.
According to the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF), there have been eight professional disciplinary hearings held to-date this year, four times the amount of hearings than were held all of last year and three more than in 2013.
“There’s obviously a problem there from two to eight, you know I’ve been out of school for a long time but if I had kids in school I’d be worried.”
Other parents expressed the same concern and said they hold teachers to a higher standard, expecting that when they send their child to school, they are safe and their teacher will protect them.
“I think teachers in Saskatchewan do their best to uphold the public trust and in very rare occasions do we see concerns come forward in this manner,” said Shelly Tootoosis, associate executive director of the STF.
The nature of this year’s complaints vary in severity along with what should happen to those found guilty by an STF disciplinary committee.
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Regina high school teacher Cory Britton was reprimanded after being accused of falsifying final marks for five Grade 12 students.
John McGettigan, president of the Saskatoon Teachers’ Association, is accused of professional misconduct after telling a 50 Shades of Grey joke at an annual convention and admits it was a failed attempt at humour.
READ MORE: ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ joke fell flat with teachers
Other Saskatchewan teachers who have found themselves the subject of a hearing this year include Brandon Doom, Todd Anaka, Jesse Baron and Bonnie McLachlan.
A professional ethics committee will reconvene and hold a hearing for Erin Osmond Kaziuk at some point down the road. She was found not guilty in late May of two counts of sexual exploitation after having sex with a former student in 2013.
On May 15, former teacher Jayson Kennard was sentenced to 16 months behind bars and two years probation after being found guilty of luring a former student for sex.
“The nature of those complaints have always been a concern so our teachers federation act sets out that anything of that nature or criminal in nature would be automatically professional misconduct and a recommendation or automatic remove the certificate,” said Tootoosis.
READ MORE: Former Saskatoon teacher sentenced to 16 months for child luring
According to the STF, an increase in the number of hearings is dependent on many factions and does not necessarily equate to a sudden increase in incidents or allegations involving teachers that year. Lengthy court proceedings can delay the hearing process for the teacher.
Officials also point out that a spike in the number of hearings isn’t always a bad thing when it comes to your child’s safety. In fact, the STF is able to address complaints as soon as they are made aware of them.
“It could be attributed to the employer duty to report which came into effect in 2011 or it could be attributed to our increased awareness of the new complaint process,” added Tootoosis.
According to the province’s ministry of education, come fall the Saskatchewan Professional Teachers Regulatory Board will assume responsibility for receiving, investigating, hearing and deciding complaints concerning a teacher’s conduct and competence. The board was recently been appointed and is now determining its policies and procedures.
The ministry also adds that when it comes to any teacher whose teaching certificate is revoked, that person is then prohibited from teaching. This essentially bans the former teacher from the classroom which is considered a serious measure and although the teacher can apply to have their certificate reinstated, a very compelling case would need to be made to have the certificate reissued.
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