BC elementary teacher who spanked Grade 1 child suspended

A BC teacher who spanked a Grade 1 student has been suspended for three days.

The incident cost veteran elementary school teacher Pehgee Agnes Boholst Aranas her job at the unnamed First Nations school where she was teaching. The school reported the incident to the regulator.

According to a June 17, BC Commissioner for Teacher Regulation decision, Aranas spanked the pupil during a class in November 2023.

Another staff member saw Aranas strike the child and reported it.

“Following the incident… Aranas was asked to meet with members of the First Nation. In that meeting, Aranas incorrectly claimed that (the) student’s parents had approved her actions and made comments which were inconsistent with truth, reconciliation and healing,” the decision read.

“Her actions perpetuated the harmful legacy of physical abuse in Indian Residential Schools and reflected a belief in harmful stereotypes. Her actions harmed (the) student, negatively impacted the community’s feelings of trust and safety in the education system and did not contribute towards truth, reconciliation and healing,” the regulator said in the decision.

Following the incident, Aranas was placed on leave pending an investigation. She was told she could tell others she was on leave but not to share any further details.

However, she told at least two of her colleagues what had happened and the name of the employee who had reported it.

In May 2024, the First Nation fired her.

The decision said Aranas has been teaching since 1997 and has been in trouble before.

In 2021, she was disciplined for making inappropriate comments about the First Nations community.

Aranas was issued a written warning letter after she wrote an email to an employee who had called in sick. In that email, Aranas wrote: “Suck it up, buttercup!!! The symptoms are just injection symptoms and not actual sickness! Tough native men like you have survived worse??? Lol.”

For the spanking incident, she signed a consent agreement, admitting to her behaviour and received a three-day suspension.

“Aranas did not act in (the) Student’s best interests, did not treat (the) Student with dignity and respect and did not create a safe and inclusive learning environment for (the) student,” the Commissioner said.

No other details are given in the decision.