Thomas Potter

The Ontario College of Teachers brought a discipline proceeding against the member for professional misconduct and sexual abuse of a student.

The member did not attend the hearing and was not represented.

The Discipline Committee found that the facts supported a finding of professional misconduct and that the member engaged in sexual abuse of a student contrary to the Ontario College of Teachers Act, 1996 and Ontario Regulation 437/97.

As a penalty, the Committee ordered the immediate revocation of the member's Certificate of Qualification and Registration, and directed that the findings and order be published with the member's name.

The Member, a teacher, pleaded no contest to allegations of professional misconduct arising from an incident where he failed to supervise five students during a neighbourhood walk, resulting in inappropriate sexual interactions between the students.

The Discipline Committee accepted the uncontested facts and found the Member guilty of professional misconduct.

Accepting a joint submission on penalty, the Committee ordered a reprimand to be recorded on the Register and publication of the decision in the College's official publication without the Member's name, noting the incident was isolated and the Member had retired.

The Discipline Committee found the Member guilty of professional misconduct for sexually abusing two male students between 1968 and 1984.

The Member had previously been convicted of criminal offences related to the abuse and sentenced to three years' incarceration.

The Committee revoked the Member's Certificate of Qualification and Registration and ordered publication of the decision with his name, emphasizing the need for public protection, general deterrence, and maintaining the integrity of the teaching profession.