Teacher suspended for inappropriate student relationship

The Disciplinary Tribunal has censured a female teacher and suspended her registration pending conditions being met.  The teacher had formed an inappropriate relationship with a 10 year old student, undermining his parental relationship with his mother.

The teacher had taken the child home, engaged in social media interactions, bought presents and given the child money.

The school Principal had met with the teacher on three occasions and told her not to have out of school contact with the child but she ignored these instructions and continued the contact.

In its decision the Tribunal commented that it was close to cancelling the teacher’s registration. Instead conditions were imposed requiring her to undergo counselling for depression and attend an approved course on teacher boundaries. The teacher’s details were suppressed to protect the identity of the child.

Alan Knowsley
Education Lawyer
Wellington