BC music teacher had 20-year history of crossing boundaries; he’s now barred from teaching

A BC high school music teacher with a history of violating professional boundaries has lost his job.

According to a June 11 BC Commissioner of Teacher Regulation decision, Vancouver music teacher David Joseph Lamb engaged in a “wide range of boundary violations” from selectively favouring some students during assessments to emailing students at unreasonable times.

One student testified that she was left feeling anxious, unhappy and manipulated by Lamb.

However, Lamb consistently blamed the students for his inappropriate behaviour.

The decision said the incidents dates back to between 2016 and 2020, when the now 68-year-old was teaching music at an unnamed Vancouver high school.

Lamb’s case is unusual in that he denied the allegations, forcing the teaching regulator to hold a hearing. The vast majority of teachers accused of wrongdoing sign a consent agreement and accept a penalty.

However, while Lamb didn’t sign a consent agreement, he also didn’t show up to his hearing.

The decision said Lamb attempted to build an improper personal relationship with a student and gave her excessive compliments, bought her gifts and communicated with her about his personal life. 

The regulator said he emotionally manipulated her for his personal goals.

Students were left overwhelmed and pressured in class, and numerous students complained, and some dropped out. One student said Lamb left them feeling uncomfortable and stressed but that they were apprehensive and reluctant to say anything about him because they feared reprisal.

In 2018, the school issued Lamb a discipline letter.

“It was reported that students in your classes were becoming mentally overwhelmed and that they were feeling bullied by you. Students reported that you make everything feel negative and that they feel trapped in the band room,” the letter read.

“They also stated that they feel pushed, isolated to stay in your classes and felt obligated to take band or they would be letting other students down. Multiple students reported feeling angry, uncomfortable, upset and disappointed by your actions.”

Students complained that it got worse when Lamb was stressed.

“There is a feeling of uncomfortableness and anxiety around you,” the letter read.

Over the years, Lamb has been issued with multiple discipline letters, signed a consent agreement with the regulator over his behaviour and suspended for a day without pay.

In 2012, he was barred from having students in his office at lunch hour and breaks, and told not to give students lifts. He was also prohibited from giving evening music practices.

In 2014, he admitted he’d crossed professional boundaries by involving himself in students’ personal lives.

However, the regulator said that “despite” his disciplinary history, he showed little to no insight into his conduct and little to no understanding of its impact on students.

He once said students misperceived him and wanted to get him into trouble. On another occasion, he called students’ allegations against him “lies or misperceptions.”

“(Lamb’s) behaviour demonstrates his limited insight into the negative effects his conduct has had on students,” the regulator said.

The Teaching Commissioner said a suspension would have no impact as he no longer worked, but he had renewed his teaching licence, although he’s a 68-year-old with debilitating medical issues. 

“(Lamb) has been repeatedly advised that his conduct is not acceptable and he has continued unabated,” the Commissioner said and stripped Lamb of his teaching licence.