Aly Háji

The Ontario College of Teachers brought disciplinary proceedings against a member for professional misconduct.

The member pleaded no contest to allegations that he made inappropriate comments to students, exposed them to sexual remarks, and inappropriately used class time to show videos about serial killers.

The Discipline Committee found the member guilty of professional misconduct, including verbal abuse, psychological or emotional abuse, and sexual misconduct.

Accepting a joint submission on penalty, the Committee ordered a reprimand, a five-month suspension of the member's certificate, and the completion of a course on maintaining appropriate boundaries.

At a discipline hearing, the member attempted to enter a plea of no contest pursuant to an agreement with the College.

However, the member made statements to the panel that raised concerns about the validity of the plea and the agreement.

After giving the member an opportunity to speak with counsel, the member maintained his position.

On its own motion, the panel declined to accept the Statement of Uncontested Facts and Plea of No Contest, and adjourned the matter to be heard as a contested hearing before a newly constituted panel.

The Ontario College of Teachers brought a discipline proceeding against a member who was convicted of criminal offences including assault, unlawful confinement, and mischief against his former partner.

The member did not attend the hearing.

The Discipline Committee found that the member's criminal conduct, which involved repeated acts of violence and property damage, was relevant to his suitability to teach and constituted professional misconduct.

The Committee revoked the member's teaching certificate, emphasizing the need for public protection and general deterrence, and ordered the member to pay $10,000 in costs.

The Member, who was self-represented, brought two motions before the Discipline Committee of the Ontario College of Teachers: a motion for an indefinite adjournment of his discipline hearing, and a motion for the production of third-party records to compel a doctor to author a medical report.

The College consented to an adjournment but opposed it being indefinite.

The Panel granted the adjournment to allow the Member time to retain counsel and obtain medical evidence, but imposed a six-month timeframe and conditions, finding that an indefinite adjournment was not in the public interest.

The Panel dismissed the production motion, ruling that it was not the appropriate mechanism to compel a third party to create an expert report.

The Ontario College of Teachers brought disciplinary proceedings against a teacher for failing to maintain appropriate boundaries with students, including communicating on social media against directions, allowing students to apply lotion to her back, and playing videogames in class.

The member pleaded no contest to the allegations.

The Discipline Committee found the member guilty of professional misconduct and accepted a joint submission on penalty, ordering a reprimand, a one-month suspension, and mandatory coursework on professional boundaries and social media communication.

The Ontario College of Teachers brought disciplinary proceedings against a member for verbally and psychologically abusing a vulnerable special needs student.

The member, whose status was 'Retired', yelled at the student in front of the class, an incident that was recorded on video.

The Discipline Committee found it retained jurisdiction over the member despite his retired status.

The member pleaded guilty to professional misconduct.

The Committee accepted a joint submission on penalty, ordering a reprimand and the revocation of the member's Certificate of Qualification and Registration.

The Member, a teacher, was found guilty of professional misconduct for travelling to Italy while on medical leave without informing her employer, the York Region District School Board.

The Member had booked the trip months in advance but failed to disclose it when requesting medical leave.

The Discipline Committee accepted a joint submission on penalty, ordering a reprimand and requiring the Member to complete a course on ethical practice.