Summerland teacher reprimanded for inappropriate comments to female students

SUMMERLAND – A Summerland teacher has been reprimanded for professional misconduct following a consent resolution by the British Columbia Commissioner for Teacher Regulation.

Summerland Secondary School teacher Blair Haddrell was disciplined for making inappropriate remarks to female students during the 2014-2015 school year, according to the written decision dated Nov. 15, 2016.

While coaching the grade nine girls’ basketball team, Haddrell said to a female student: “you are a good looking grade nine” and “you can date anyone you want.” On a separate occasion, Haddrell told two female students who were attending a dance: "you are good looking, guys will want to dance with you.”

Haddrell has admitted the facts in the agreement are true and agreed they constitute professional misconduct.

The Okanagan Skaha School District issued Haddrell a letter of discipline on Mar. 9, 2015, restricting him from volunteer coaching. He has since been allowed to request a review of that decision.

As well, Haddrell was given a letter of expectation from the school district on May 22, 2012. That letter outlined the district’s expectation he conduct himself with students in a manner respecting both the boundaries of the professional relationship and the appropriate personal boundaries of the student.

He was also required to take the B.C. Teachers' Federation Boundaries Course, which he completed in May, 2012.

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