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A teacher has appeared before the teachers’ disciplinary tribunal after he told a student that he loved her and that she would be “all mine.”
The teacher, who has provisional name deletion, appeared in court Tuesday morning, charged with serious misconduct for violating professional boundaries.
The summary of the facts said that the teacher made comments towards a student, among them that he loved her, missed her and “after Tuesday you will be all mine.”
She touched her shoulder, which made her uncomfortable, and sat next to her with her leg pressed against her, the court heard.
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When the student moved, he moved too, touching his hand.
The student complained to the school about the teacher’s actions and, following an internal investigation at the school, the case went to court.
The teacher said he was passionate about teaching and the subject matter he taught, and had been known throughout his career as someone who fostered good relationships with colleagues and students.
The teacher spent most of his career teaching at a boys ‘school and, before taking on a role in a girls’ school, he spoke with his wife and the department head about how to consider boundaries and space.
His previous role had a strong emphasis on achievement and the teacher felt grades were important.
He wanted to finish his degree “high”, getting good results, and it was important that his students did.
He struggled with the student in question, whom he described as disconnected, and said that the comment saying he loved her was in the context of trying to support her, while also explaining that he was not living up to expectations.
The comment was about his work, he claimed.
He understood in isolation that the words sounded “really creepy.”
He said that he did not mean to “interfere” with her space, but that he often jumped from student to student and did not notice his leg resting against hers.
He said that if she moved, he believed she would have readjusted to find a little more space.
The comment that the student “is all mine” was in relation to the student’s low workload, and was an attempt to show her a “toughness” in trying to get some work out, he said.
The third comment, “I miss you, make sure you come back”, was said in the context that he hadn’t seen her for a week, so when he passed her he “chased” her and said that he missed her in context. her. not be in class.
When asked if he would have spoken to a student in the same way, he said he believed he would.
The teacher is now retired and said he had no intention of returning to the profession.
He confirmed that no competition concerns had arisen earlier in his career, nor had he undergone any disciplinary proceedings.
Complaint review committee attorney Rebecca Scott said the CAC accepted that the teacher had “good intentions” but said there could still be disastrous consequences.
Although the intention was not “inappropriate,” it had an effect on the student, he said.
The CAC agreed that his actions did not have a sexual or romantic subtext and considered that the case should be considered misconduct, not serious misconduct.
The teacher’s attorney, Fran Renton, said that all the actions were outdoors and there was no way the student would feel physically isolated.
Many of the incidents occurred in front of other students and teachers.
She said the teacher had not set out to hurt the student, and what happened was misplaced and would not be repeated.
The president of the court, Theodora Baker, said a decision would be made in six weeks.
