BC teacher who got into tug-of-war with student reprimanded

A BC teacher who got embroiled in a tug-of-war with a disobedient student has been reprimanded for failing to treat the student with respect.

According to an Aug. 19 BC Commissioner for Teacher Regulation decision, middle school teacher Ming Chun Chen got into a conflict with a Grade 8 student after her repeated requests that the student put a book back on the shelf were ignored.

Chen then grabbed the backpack the student was wearing which then fell off their back.

“Chen engaged in a tug of war with (the) student for the backpack, with Chen holding the handle and (the) student holding the shoulder straps. This continued for approximately 30 seconds until Chen let go of the backpack,” the decision read.

“Chen failed to treat students with respect,” the regulator said.

Several other incidents also happened involving the student during the 2023/2024 school year when Chen was teaching at an unnamed school in the Mission School District.

On one occasion, she perceived the student being disruptive during class and asked them to leave. When the student ignored her demand, she picked up his backpack and tossed it approximately two feet into the hallway outside of the classroom.

On another occasion, the student arrived late to class and then asked to go to the washroom. The student said they would “pee” themselves if Chen wouldn’t allow them to go.

“Chen replied, ‘go ahead,’ referring to peeing themself,” the decision read.

In June 2024, the school district issued Chen a letter of discipline and suspended her for one day without pay and ordered her to take a classroom management workshop.

The school district then reported the matter to the teaching regulator, and Chen signed a consent agreement admitting to professional misconduct.

“Chen failed to model the appropriate behaviour expected of an educator,” the regulator said.

Along with the public reprimand, the regulator ordered Chen to complete the course Creating a Positive Learning Environment.