Committee investigating teacher’s conduct
A Calgary music teacher is accused of having a sexual relationship with a 14-year-old student, an Alberta Teachers’ Association conduct committee heard Monday.
The teacher, who taught Grade 1, music and band at a public Calgary K-9 school, is charged with five counts of unprofessional conduct under the Teaching Profession Act, including smoking marijuana in the presence of a student, and allowing students to use illegal drugs in her presence.
She pleaded guilty to having an inappropriate social relationship and regularly texting and calling the 14-year-old, but not guilty to the sex- and drug-related charges.
Postmedia is not naming the teacher, because her identity was subject to a publication ban in a Court of Queen’s Bench case.
A separate publication ban by the conduct committee prevents identification of any of the students involved in the case, or their family members.
The allegations stem from the 2011-12 school year and the following summer, and involved students who were in Grade 9.
When the 14-year-old student struggled academically, the teacher volunteered to help, the hearing was told.
A friend of the student, who was also in Grade 9, testified Monday the teacher would drive the two teen boys around in her minivan, and buy them cigarettes, alcohol and food.
He saw the teacher perform oral sex on the student in the back of the van, and saw them kissing on multiple occasions at his house and his friend’s house, he said.
The teacher smoked marijuana with them a couple of times, and took them to a drug paraphernalia shop, the friend said.
In fall 2012, the teen sought addictions treatment at Calgary’s Alberta Adolescent Recovery Centre (AARC).
The teen disclosed his relationship with the teacher in group therapy, AARC’s executive director, Dean Vause, testified Monday.
AARC staff reported the matter to Calgary police, who, in 2014, charged the teacher with sexual assault and sexual contact with a child. Both charges were stayed in 2015.
The conduct hearing continues Tuesday.