Slave Lake principal to pay $2,100 fine for ‘gossipy’ messages
The principal of a Slave Lake elementary school must pay a $2,100 fine after a committee of teachers found her guilty of four counts of unprofessional conduct.
An Alberta Teachers’ Association conduct committee will also issue a letter of severe reprimand to Anastasia Jorquera, who is principal of St. Mary of the Lake Catholic school.
“These are significant charges,” presenting officer Ian Stewardson told the three-member panel hearing the case in Edmonton Tuesday morning.
Jorquera pleaded guilty to sending inappropriate text messages to another teacher during a March 2016 “faith development day,” Stewardson said.
She mistakenly sent the messages to the wrong teacher.
“The content was negative and gossipy,” and a failed attempt at humour, Stewardson said.
It’s the first disciplinary case in Alberta where a teacher was found guilty for sending inappropriate texts to another staff member, he said.
Jorquera also pleaded guilty to criticizing the professional reputation of three other teachers, including one who is now the deputy superintendent of Living Waters Catholic school district.
She also encouraged divisiveness between school staff members, and “took actions that failed to provide opportunities for staff members to express their opinions and bring forth suggestions regarding the administration of the school,” all of which are counter to the teachers’ code of conduct.
The details of all charges were presented to the committee in writing, which the public is not allowed to see.
Jorquera said she has been principal of the school since fall 2015, and previously served as the acting vice-principal and inclusive education coordinator. She declined to comment further.
Living Waters’ superintendent Jo-Anne Lanctot wouldn’t comment, saying the issue is a personnel matter.