Lisa Filgiano

The Ontario College of Teachers brought disciplinary proceedings against a member for professional misconduct, including failing to maintain professional standards, verbal and physical abuse of students, and failing to maintain appropriate boundaries.

The member pleaded guilty via an Agreed Statement of Facts.

The Discipline Committee accepted the joint submission on penalty, ordering a verbal reprimand, completion of a course on maintaining appropriate boundaries, and publication of the decision including the member's name.

The Ontario College of Teachers alleged that the member was incompetent based on three unsatisfactory performance appraisals conducted by a school principal during the 2008-2009 school year.

The Discipline Committee found that the evidence presented, which was limited to the principal's performance appraisals, was insufficient to discharge the College's burden of proof.

The Committee noted the absence of corroborating evidence such as lesson plans or student work, and observed that the member had demonstrated some improvement.

The allegations of incompetence were dismissed.

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

The allegations included physical, sexual, and emotional abuse of students.

In exchange for the withdrawal, the member agreed to resign his membership, undertook never to seek reinstatement, and agreed never to teach again in any Ontario school requiring College membership.

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

The Ontario College of Teachers brought a discipline proceeding against a school principal for professional misconduct.

The allegations included failing to report the sexual abuse of an intellectually-challenged student by an educational assistant, exhibiting favouritism toward that assistant, and fostering a climate of intimidation among staff.

The Discipline Committee heard testimony from multiple witnesses confirming the principal's inappropriate conduct, administrative deficiencies, and failure to protect students.

The principal's defence relied on 'deliberate ignorance' regarding the assistant's actions.

The Committee found that this deliberate ignorance constituted active participation and knowledge, concluding that the principal committed professional misconduct by violating multiple provisions of Ontario Regulation 437/97.

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

The member engaged in inappropriate electronic communications with the student and met with her outside of school on several occasions, during which physical contact occurred.

The member had previously been reprimanded by his school board for similar conduct but continued the relationship.

The Discipline Committee found the member guilty of professional misconduct and sexual abuse, rejecting his claim that he was merely trying to end the relationship.

The Committee ordered the revocation of the member's Certificate of Qualification and Registration.

The member, a technology and design teacher, pleaded no contest to allegations of professional misconduct after removing an emergency generator from the school without authorization, storing it in his home garage, and failing to report its loss.

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

The Committee ordered a reprimand and directed that the findings and order be published in the College's official publication with the member's name, noting that his actions put the school population at risk.

The member, a teacher, pleaded guilty to criminal charges of possessing child pornography and was sentenced to nine months in prison.

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

The Discipline Committee found the member guilty of professional misconduct, noting that possession of child pornography is a serious crime that victimizes children and puts students at risk.

The Committee ordered the revocation of the member's certificate of qualification and registration, and directed that the decision be published.

The member, a school principal, submitted fraudulent invoices and accepted reimbursement from the school board for teaching materials and a television that were never located at the school.

The member pleaded no contest to allegations of professional misconduct.

The Discipline Committee found the member guilty of professional misconduct and ordered a reprimand, a 1.5-year suspension of his teaching certificate, and publication of the decision.

The member, an elementary school teacher, pled no contest to allegations of professional misconduct stemming from an inappropriate relationship with a student.

The member communicated with the student electronically and kissed the student in his vehicle, leading to a criminal conviction for sexual assault.

The Discipline Committee found the member guilty of professional misconduct, including sexual abuse of a student.

The Committee ordered the immediate revocation of the member's teaching certificate and publication of the decision with the member's name.

The College brought a motion seeking leave to withdraw allegations of incompetence and misconduct against the member.

The parties consented to disposing of the proceeding without a hearing pursuant to the Statutory Powers Procedure Act.

The Discipline Committee granted the motion, allowing the withdrawal of the Notice of Hearing in exchange for the member's undertaking to complete an Additional Qualification course in reading and to obtain a satisfactory performance appraisal upon returning to work.

The Committee found the resolution reasonable and in the public interest.

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

The College determined there was insufficient evidence to support the allegations because key witnesses could not be located, making a finding of professional misconduct unlikely.

The member's counsel consented to the motion.

The Discipline Committee granted the motion, finding the withdrawal reasonable, appropriate, and in the public interest.

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

College counsel indicated there was no reasonable prospect of a finding of professional misconduct, and counsel for the Member consented.

The Discipline Committee granted the motion, finding the withdrawal reasonable, appropriate, and in the public interest.

Counsel for the Ontario College of Teachers brought a motion seeking leave to withdraw the allegations of professional misconduct against the Member, as there was no reasonable prospect of a finding of professional misconduct.

The Member's counsel consented.

The Discipline Committee granted the motion, finding the withdrawal reasonable, appropriate, and in the public interest.

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

The College advised that a finding of professional misconduct was unlikely if the matter proceeded to a hearing.

The member consented to the motion.

The Discipline Committee granted the motion, finding that the withdrawal of the allegations served the public interest.

The Ontario College of Teachers brought a motion seeking leave to withdraw allegations of professional misconduct and incompetence against the member, which were based on three unsatisfactory teacher performance appraisals.

With the consent of the parties, the Discipline Committee granted the motion, finding that the withdrawal of the Notice of Hearing was reasonable and protected the public interest.