The Discipline Committee ordered the suspension of the teaching certificate of Nicola Lee for failing to maintain appropriate professional boundaries with a student. Lee engaged in a personal relationship with the student, which included communicating with him via text message, phone calls and social media, talking to him about her personal life and marital issues, spending time with him outside of school, and driving him in her personal vehicle.
In addition, Lee sent the student an article link regarding “emotional affairs” and told him that she checked nine of the ten boxes on the article’s checklist, which made the student feel uncomfortable.
After the student stopped responding to Lee’s attempts to communicate with him and tried to avoid her at school, Lee sent the student a number of texts indicating that she missed talking to him and asking for his forgiveness.
She was employed as a high school teacher in Ontario at this time.
Lee, who was certified to teach in June 1994, did not attend the hearing on April 22, 2025, but appeared immediately after the hearing to receive her oral reprimand. Lee had legal representation throughout the hearing.
The Discipline Committee panel found Lee guilty of professional misconduct and ordered that her Certificate of Qualification and Registration be suspended for six months and that she receive a reprimand.
In addition, she was directed to complete a course regarding maintaining professional boundaries and appropriate communication with students.
In its written decision, the Discipline Committee panel stated, “[Lee] exploited her position of trust and in turn, undermined the public confidence in the teaching profession.”
