March 28, 2024

Latest BC Teacher discipline decisions

Another batch of discipline decisions from BC’s Teacher Regulation Branch.In this one: a teacher with a chainsaw, an  photograph with a lollippop, and a misuse of school funds to buy snow tires.  

First up, Stephen Alan Soames: he appeared at school with a chainsaw, and said he was ‘going postal’ and giving everyone a head start.’ The chainsaw didn’t work, and he was trying to be funny about a dispute with another teacher.  That got a 5-day suspension and anger managment.

Next, Timothy John Michael Trylinski. He photographed a 14-year-old student with a lollipop in her mouth, while wearing a low-cut top, and later gave her a mug with the picture on it. The girl’s parents were upset.  Trylinski got a five-day suspension. 

Gertrudis Vossen tried to get reimbursed for snow tires he bought for his van.  For that and other misuses of school funds, he was suspended a month.

Finally, two cases where teachers had already been dealt with by the police and courts.

On top of his punishment for fraud and driving without due care, the branch reprimanded Kai Kristiansen and made him get alcohol counselling.

And David Victor Wiens, sentenced to one year in jail and two years’ probation in 2011 for sex exploitation involving a female high school student, has agreed to never re-apply for a teaching certificate.

The branch does not reveal where the teachers work, and the schools districts can hand out their own punishment, such as firing the person. 

Earlier this month, the Province named a new commissioner to oversee teacher discipline hearings.

CKNW Vancouver News

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