Educator remorseful for ‘inappropriate communication’ with high school student

A Living Sky School Division educator found guilty of professional misconduct after “inappropriate communication” with a student is remorseful, a Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation (STF) penalty hearing heard Friday.

In June, a hearing of the STF professional ethics committee received an agreed statement of facts about text messages between educator Beau Vandale and a female Grade 10 student in 2013.

Living Sky School Division covers northwest central Saskatchewan.

In September, a posting on the STF website indicated the committee found Vandale guilty, recommending a penalty. Vandale was not present Friday.

Vandale’s lawyer, Marilyn Penner, said the messages were sent during an “emotionally difficult” time in Vandale’s life when he was being treated for depression following the loss of a loved one.

Penner said there was no evidence of a romantic or physical relationship between Vandale and the student, arguing the incident was a “lapse in judgment” by an otherwise upstanding educator.

She said the communication was on “the lowest end of the spectrum” of professional misconduct and the penalty should reflect that, noting Vandale stopped the communication on his own.

Penner said Vandale is eager to resolve the process and the community is moving past the incident.

Postmedia News requested an interview with the STF about the importance of these hearings; a written statement was provided instead.

“Saskatchewan teachers recognize the importance and responsibility of the public trust they are granted every day,” it read.

“The Federation takes all complaints and allegations seriously. The Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation has a legislated responsibility to uphold the public trust and the disciplinary processes that are in place are intended to support that.”

Vandale and the complainant will be notified of the decided penalty in writing. The decision can be appealed at Court of Queen’s Bench within 30 days.