B.C. teacher reprimanded for ‘upsetting’ students by raising his voice

A B.C. teacher has been reprimanded for raising his voice at his Grade 3 class which some of his students found "upsetting" and "scary."

According to a Mar. 1, B.C. Commissioner for Teacher Regulation decision, Randall Robert Klassen, along with raising his voice, showed his class an age-inappropriate video, which he didn't turn off.

"The video was called 'Life 100 Years Ago vs Life Now' and contained age-inappropriate material, including sexual discussions and images," the decision reads.

READ MORE: B.C. teacher reprimanded for telling class to 'shut up'

According to a consent resolution agreement Klassen signed, throughout the school year 2018, 2019 he was visibly angry with his students at the Chilliwack school where he taught.

"(Klassen) often resorted to using a raised voice in addressing them," the decision says. "Some students reported finding Klassen's conduct upsetting and scary."

Following the incident, the school district suspended him for two days without pay.

Klassen, who has been teaching for almost 30 years, has a history of raising his voice to his class and had previously received multiple verbal warnings going back to 2004.

"He was specifically reminded not to yell at students or use an excessively loud tone and not to allow his personal frustration with students to be apparent," a letter of direction from 2014 reads. The letter goes on to say Klassen needed to be "mindful" of his students' "individual rights and sensibilities."

In the consent resolution agreement, Klassen admits to professional misconduct and says he's taken concrete steps, including coursework, in order to create a more positive learning environment for his students.

READ MORE: B.C. teacher reprimanded for reaching into student's tool belt

To contact a reporter for this story, email Ben Bulmer or call (250) 309-5230 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.