A secondary teacher on Vancouver Island had his teaching certificate suspended for three days for misconduct. The teacher encouraged students to hit each other with pool noodles during gym class, which resulted in one student getting their glasses broken. The teacher did not report the incident or follow up with the student to make sure he was not otherwise injured. He also failed to inform the parents of what had occurred.  

Russell Bodnar had previously been suspended for telling students to “twerk.” In 2019, he was also issued a non-disciplinary letter of expectation reminding him that touching students without their consent is not acceptable outside of coaching roles. 

When teachers are found responsible for violating school rules repeatedly, they could be at risk of losing their teaching licenses. Such an event would not only keep them from practicing their profession but negatively impact their life. If you or someone you know is struggling with accusations of misconduct that can affect a teaching license, contact the Lento Law Firm Professional License Defense Team at 888.535.3686 or fill out our contact form to learn more about how we can help. 

The Process to Follow  

In a situation such as this one, a professional licensing board in a large state would likely follow a process that consists of the following steps: 

• Investigation: Firstly, the board would gather information about the incident, as well as the severity of the student's injury and the teacher's actions before, during, and after the injury. This would involve interviewing the affected student, as well as any possible witnesses and even the student's parents to see how the situation was handled afterwards.  
• Review of regulations: The board will then review their regulations on teacher conduct and try to identify if the teacher's conduct has violated any of them. Among the things they're likely to take into consideration are the teacher's duty to ensure the safety of the students, the fact that the teacher violated protocol by not reporting the student's injury, and the fact that the teacher did not use appropriate teaching methods.  
• Consider the background: The board is likely to consider the teacher's background as they make their decision. The board is unlikely to be lenient with a teacher with a history of misconduct, but they might be so with a first offender.   

Possible Outcomes 

Depending on the severity of the offense and the teacher's history, the board could take actions that range from dismissal to suspension – as was the case with Russell Bodnar – or, in other cases, a reprimand or a request that the teacher complete additional training. That's why having the right guidance and support as you deal with any misconduct allegations is crucial.  

The Lento Law Firm Professional License Defense Team has spent years advising teachers accused of misconduct. We can help you gather evidence, prepare you for your hearing, and negotiate with the licensing board on your behalf. If you're worried about your license, call 888-535-3686 or schedule a consultation today to learn how we can help you.