Maria Lourdes Bueno-Marcial

The Ontario College of Teachers brought a motion seeking leave to withdraw allegations of professional misconduct against the Member.

The College submitted that the primary witness was unable to participate due to health and well-being concerns, leaving no reasonable prospect of obtaining a finding of professional misconduct.

The Discipline Committee granted the motion, finding that it was not in the public interest to proceed without sufficient evidence.

The member, a teacher, faced allegations of professional misconduct for engaging in inappropriate electronic communications with two students via Instagram.

The member admitted to the allegations in an Agreed Statement of Facts and Guilty Plea.

The Discipline Committee found the member guilty of professional misconduct, including psychological or emotional abuse, failing to maintain professional boundaries, and conduct unbecoming a member.

Accepting a joint submission on penalty, the Committee ordered a reprimand, a three-month suspension of the member's certificate, and the successful completion of a course on boundary violations.

The member, a teacher, faced disciplinary proceedings for professional misconduct involving boundary violations with two students.

The member admitted to meeting privately with a vulnerable student, hugging students, providing unqualified counselling, and disclosing personal struggles, which caused emotional harm.

The member also breached a school board directive by contacting the student while reassigned home.

The Discipline Committee accepted a joint submission on penalty, finding the member guilty of professional misconduct.

The member was reprimanded, suspended for six months, and ordered to complete a course on professional boundaries.

The College brought a motion seeking leave to withdraw the allegations against the member set out in a Notice of Hearing.

The member's case had already been dealt with by another Committee of the College, and the member consented to the withdrawal.

The Discipline Committee granted the motion, finding that the withdrawal was reasonable and served to protect the public interest.