BC teacher who tried to befriend recent grad gets suspended

A BC teacher, who spent a few months sending messages to a recent grad, has been suspended for three days.

According to a Nov. 25 BC Commissioner for Teacher Regulation decision, Kevin Alexander Sigaty began sending the student messages on Instagram a month after they graduated.

“Sigaty violated professional boundaries on multiple occasions over an approximately three-month period, despite being aware that some of this conduct was not appropriate,” the Commissioner said in the decision.

The decision says Sigaty communicated frequently with the student through Instagram “in the manner of a friend.” The two would chat about movies, books, and political memes, the decision said.

In August 2023, the teacher bought the student two books worth $50 as a graduation gift. He messaged the student telling them he’d bought them a graduation gift, which made the student feel uncomfortable, the decision said.

A month later, he invited the student to come to his portable and watch a Halloween movie.

“The invitation made (the) student uncomfortable. (The) student did not accept the invitation and blocked Sigaty on Instagram,” the decision read.

He then set up a different Instagram account and sent the student an apology.

It appears the student reported Sigaty as the Chilliwack school district then suspended him for 10 days without pay. 

The teaching regulator then took more disciplinary action.

The decision said that Sigatyn provided a medical opinion that he had a medical condition that contributed to his misconduct.

“Following the District’s investigation, he independently sought treatment for his medical condition. He agrees that he has a responsibility to manage his medical condition to ensure it does not interfere with his duties as a teacher,” the regulator said.

The regulator suspended Sigatyn for three days.

“It is a mitigating factor that Sigaty has taken responsibility for his conduct and has taken proactive steps to address his shortcomings,” the decision read.