Conditions on teacher imposed for inappropriate relationship

A male secondary school teacher has been censured and had conditions imposed on his teaching practice after breaching teacher/student boundaries and forming an inappropriate relationship with a female student.

The teacher sent a large number of personal emails to the student including suggestions to meet for coffee.

The Tribunal concluded that there was no need to revoke the teacher’s practicing certificate and instead put in place the following conditions:

1. Undertake further counselling until the counsellor provides a report satisfactory to the Council that he is not at risk of crossing professional boundaries with a student.
2. Undertake professional development courses approved by the Council (in consultation with his counsellor) to assist in developing and maintaining appropriate relationships with students.
3. Undergo professional mentoring for two years.
4. Disclose the mandatory report and disciplinary findings to employers and prospective employers for two years.

Alan Knowsley
Education Lawyer
Wellington